Flowers
A Sestina Poem
On the day that I died, I felt a sensation like floating through the air.
A strange feeling; my mood had changed. I no longer had a care.
They stood around me, tears were rolling, sharing stories, and bringing flowers.
The entrance was dark, and the hallways were quiet except for the distant machine.
The flames burn red, blue, and yellow; ashes to ashes, I was just a child.
Hurt and pain, fear, and fever. As I drift, I'm calling for Mama.
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She's sitting there, imagining my suffering, then begins to cry. Oh, Mama.
Above the white clouds, the blue sky turns gray. Where is the sun? Where is the air?
An adult way too young, fractured, and restricted; I never had a chance to be a child.
I stumbled through my life, unable to walk. It was the chance encounters that made me care.
I was scammed. I was misinformed by the enemy fire. I was left to die in the workings of the machine.
On that day, they sent my mother cards with condolences and brought her flowers.
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What does it mean when they say thoughts and prayers? Yet they kneel and meditate in front of dead flowers.
They prayed that she'd smile when she called out for help. All she could do was cry, my dear Mama.
She looked up to the sky and stepped into the church. Somehow she was sidestepped and captured by the machine.
She couldn't breathe; her lungs were heavy, and she gasped for air.
A loss so grave, she cried all day. She was in denial; she just didn't care.
Her grandest possession; I was her child.
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She saw me dance upon the clouds. She smiled when I was playing like a child.
She rubbed my hands and kissed my forehead. She felt abandoned when she saw the flowers.
I wanted to somehow let her know that I was still alive in her soul. I wanted to hug her and let her know I cared.
I couldn't breathe; my lungs were empty, and I gasped for air.
My body became lifeless. My soul was flowing freely. No longer trapped by the machine.
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Slowly, I transcended from one space to the next. I was guided along with the help of the machine.
My mother prepared my body with holy water. She had to announce: "This is my baby, this is my child."
Released from the care of my mother, and I'm breathing again. Feeling strong, being nourished by the air.
Her rosary of love hangs around my neck. Adorned with her spirit, decorated with the petals of the flowers.
Away I float. Away I go. I know it hurts, but don't cry, Mama.
I pay my respects to that little lady. The one who showed me love and taught me how to care.
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Alone I went up to the sunless sky to meet a galaxy that was waiting to give me tender loving care.
Sweeping me away from fear and protecting me from the machine.
Bringing me peace, teaching me love. Goodbye Mama, goodbye Mama.
My body was broken in my youth. Renewal came with death. Once again I can be a child.
Crossing over to this realm, I am chosen to greet those entering now. I offer beatitudes. I offer flowers.
Hearts of love surround me in multitudes. Standing on clouds. Speaking through the air.
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For all I know. For all I care. I was always an adult. But now I am a child.
Serenity follows me. Death has come to the machine. Now I am encapsulated by the scent of beautiful flowers.
In this celestial eternity, I embrace the essence of my Mama. It is because of her that I breathe the ethereal air.
πππππ
With love, RHC β€οΈ
About the Creator
Rick Henry Christopher
Writing is a distraction to fulfill my need for intellectual stimulus, emotional release, and soothing the bruises of the day.
The shattered pieces of life will not discourage me.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/vocalplusassist
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Comments (36)
It always surprises me when sadness and beauty live in harmony.
Honey! That is the most beautiful thing Iβve ever read. It was so heartwarming and detailed. Keep it up!ππ
So good and yet so sad. Congrats on your top story.
So beautiful, for mommas who are loved, we borrow your ode to your mother. Echoes of a life too soon gone, yet hovering on the brink to ease her pain. So deeply sad and wonderful.
Wow. So well written.
I've been searching for this poem because I remembered seeing it made Top Story. But then I couldn't find it on the list. So glad it popped up as I was reading other works. You have a unique cadence when you are writing about certain topics that always lets me know it's you!
That was an epic journey. Well done RHC
Beautiful Rick these poems you're putting out are really great
Beautiful!
this is very beautiful I enjoy reading this.
Rick, I felt a lot of different emotions reading this. It is a well written piece that shows the depth of your feelings and thoughts.
Your dedication shows in your workβkeep it going, congratulations!
Deep thoughts!
Really pulls at one's heartstrings and brings about the essence that family has in our lives through their love.
Written deep from the heart, Truly inspirational, Congratulations
Deep, thoughtful and beautifully written. Congrats on the TS
Very emotional and lovely β€οΈ Congratulations on Top Story π
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! ππππππ
A very raw and surreal piece that had a very strong emotional resonance. Congratulations on top story !
Congratulations on your top story, Rick
Exquisitely written!!! β€οΈβ€οΈπ Congratulations on Top Story too!!!
This was so beautiful. We never really grow up. We are always learning and changing. Congratulations Top Story !!!!!
Rick, this is so different from anything you have written before, the style the wording it is like you let yourself be free. The words chose you not the other way around. Congratulations
I think you titled this perfectly. They bloom, they wilt, they grow towards the sky and return to the earth. A nice change from your usual works
Wow! What a journey of words that was. Very emotional. Well done, RHC.