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Of What's Left In The Measure

by Chris Sorrenti


after the memorial
clean up begins

clothing you saw him in
only the week before
letters & post cards
photos / souvenirs

the entire life of
someone you love
reduced to a stack of
cardboard boxes

what’s not wanted
thrown out with the trash


© 2006
revised © 2012

1,170 hits as of March 2024


Published in Bywords Quarterly Journal, Vol. 4 No. 3 Fall 2006, produced by Amanda Earl, Ottawa, Canada, ISSN 1705-3730, and in the chapbook The Magician of Sandy Hill, produced by Lynne Alsford for the Sasquatch Writers' Performance Series, March 2007, Ottawa, Canada, in tribute and memory of its founder, Juan O’Neill 1933 – 2006. ISBN 978-0-9730202-5-0. Also published in the chapbook Verse Afire, A Tri-Annual Publication of The Ontario Poetry Society, May to August 2008 Vol. 5 No. 1, I.B. Iskov Editor/Publisher, Toronto, Canada. I.S.S.N. 1715-0280.


04/08/2012

Author's Note: Originally written for Ottawa poet, friend and mentor, Juan O’Neill, who passed away on March 15, 2006. I found myself going through the same exercise for my father, Vincent, who passed on March 30th, 2012, of complications from a viral infection and old age.

Posted on 04/08/2012
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 04/08/12 at 09:02 PM

Heartbreaking, and eloquently, beautifully stated.

Posted by George Hoerner on 04/08/12 at 11:25 PM

As Gabe stated beautifully done Chris!

Posted by Clara Mae Gregory on 04/09/12 at 12:42 AM

You penned this well....I can really relate to this too well.

Posted by Jasmine Sword-Mann on 04/10/12 at 01:38 AM

This really hit home. Any physical evidence I have left of my father is his set of LOTR books. It's been 4 years now, and I can barely remember his voice. The way he smelled. I'm sorry for your loss.

Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 04/10/12 at 01:56 AM

only the week before...
thank Heaven for your very bright mentor, Chris. Shining through, shining through

Posted by Jersey D Gibson on 04/10/12 at 02:14 PM

Some things can't be boxed up and moved, like memories. Sadly, those eventually fail, too.

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