The Hollow

For Toni

I haven't written in a long time... Tragedy and pain make for unexpected muses...

The Hollow by Michele Schottelkorb

Beautifully broken busted disaster
The sparkle gone from fiery orbs
Replaced with sorrow, mourning and grief
Her best friend stolen in the blink of an eye

"You weren't supposed to leave me
How could you leave me?"

Cigarette laced garage dreams
Her nightly gaze upon fleece remnants
Two wee people hug towels and pillows
She screams into a t-shirt without a home

"It wasn't supposed to be this way
How could it be this way?"

Misgivings and memories
Are her life-line now…
Eight months out
And the river runs red

"We had so many things to finish
Why did Time not allow us to finish?"

Each day a task
If you didn't pause
You'd miss this beautiful disaster
This bomb without a pin

"I dream of you
When can I see you again?"

To see, really see,
The Hollow that has been left
Empty hole with no bottom
Is to really know empathy"
I know I'm thin/tired/scared/petulant

Did you know my Husband was killed?
Do you care?"

What becomes of the forgotten?
Who holds the hand of the bereaved?
Have you seen my friend today?
Do you even care?

"I will raise our daughters as we would
I know you'd be here, if you could."


11/30/2008
Author's Note: My friend's Husband was killed on April 5th of this year... He leaves behind a widow and two small girls... I have witnessed their pain daily... This poem is for her...