How Could They All Be Gone?

After It's Gone Challenge: Write an elegy poem that mourns a person, place, time, or idea that has been lost.

Okay, the photo above is a class in 1936. My class would have been in the 60s at that age. I do have a couple friends that are in there 90s now, that were alive in the 30s.

Loss of loved ones is sad

My mother-in-law was mad

when I stopped drinking

she wanted me to keep indulging

~~

She said, "I will buy you anything

you wish to drink," and then she would sing

"Pick me up on your way down."

She was drunk and I started to frown.

It felt like it was purposely for me

I wasn't the fun one I used to be.

~~

My sister-in-law smoked pot

and I thought

I could spend time there

but it wasn't to be as it was where

my lungs would take off

and I wouldn't cough

deep breaths only

it got lonely

When I couldn't be with people

I loved. It was that simple.

~~

That family of ten gone

all but one and I could go on

My first marriage and my favorite

family, all gone and so considerate

of me and mine. I miss them and

what could I do. Alcohol and drugs

got in the way. You can understand

how some can become thugs

~~

Friends during that time were drinkers too

That was the life I was living and my crew

My best friend from high school is gone

That was just plain wrong.

John's aunt who lived to be 103

said to me

"The worst thing about getting to my age

is that all your friends and close family

are going to go before you. You then disengage

to live on and to live happy."

~~

So much gratitude for all the loved ones in life

I wouldn't be the woman I am without some strife

I am so grateful for all of those loving me

And for the time they were present you see

I don't regret anything that was meant to be

~~~~

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