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October 30th

by Stephen Ogden

Is there none here who will stay?
Why so anxious to leave?
I will do you no harm.

I lie here rigid,
You may come and go,
Talk or work or ignore me.

I am the ghost in the bed,
Though not yet a ghost.
I make you uncomfortable.

I am your future
For I too was once young
And could walk away.

Now I lie here,
A mind, taking but ungiving
A body, present yet absent.

It will not be long now
As my body slowly shuts down.
Is there none here who will stay?

12/18/2010

Author's Note: This is the third in the cycle I have written concerning my Father's death.

Posted on 12/18/2010
Copyright © 2024 Stephen Ogden

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by George Hoerner on 12/18/10 at 02:17 PM

An honest poem Stephen nicely done. There are those of us who will die slowly, stretching the solemnity out for some around us who feel the need to be there though we know they look into deaths mirror. Welcome to pathetic!

Posted by Charlie Morgan on 12/18/10 at 04:35 PM

...Master Ogden you have penned a misile of great truth; i was immediately taken to 03 when meown dad was just as you write. touche!

Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 01/03/11 at 10:16 PM

Wow. On my birthday. This poem really hits home, as my mother passed away from Cancer on October 18, 2009. Fortunately she didn't last long when my family had to hospitalize her for the last time. It was tough seeing her go as you describe, knowing that we would never talk to her again...in this lifetime anyway. Thanks for putting it so aptly into words Stephen.

Posted by Joan Serratelli on 12/31/20 at 02:53 AM

LOVE the piece! GREAT choice for POTD!!

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