Image: MLMM's Photo Challenge (here)
Dawned on him it was a mistake
He could have acted fast
Though others deemed it as unfortunate
How was it allowed to happen, he asked
He could not forgive himself
That was what happened
He fought against the distress
Hesitation was a potent element
He had to live with it
It shadowed his every movement now
His waking hours or his disturbing sleep
He could see it in his dreams, he vowed
The friend was in the water struggling
The maroon shawl wound mysteriously
Around the neck in a choke hold strangling
Could have jumped in but not, regretfully
A good swimmer he should have
Not a picnic to retain such a conscience
But to be borne solely now on himself
A sad farewell to a good friend
MLMM's Photo Challrnge #114
For ABHRA's at d'Vserse's - unintended farewell
Susan's at PU's Midweek Motif - picnic
Oh, this is sad, Hank. That would be a very difficult memory, for sure. Sometimes a moment's hesitation is all it takes, for an unexpected outcome.
ReplyDeleteSometimes just thinking for a second can mean all the difference, not always positively either.
ReplyDeleteThis is very mysterious with a haunting feel to it.
ReplyDeletetoo often this happens, what should be happy events, suddenly turn to tragedy.
ReplyDeleteOh, no! What a nightmare! The replay requires super human strength to move on. Each of ours is different, but it exits and haunts (Mine is a bench collapsed when I flounced down on it, and a teacher's back was broken. Horrible.) Good that your poem speaks to others who are trapped in a loop.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad! Beautifully poignant.
ReplyDeleteSad indeed. Good poetry with excellent imagery though. :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely no picnic to live with that thought! Nicely done on the double prompt!
ReplyDeleteOh what a sad poem. No picnic at all.
ReplyDeleteOh what a sad poem. No picnic at all.
ReplyDeleteouch...right moment slips without notice...
ReplyDeleteHesitation can often prove fatal in many ways - cleverly written Hank :)
ReplyDeleteOh the heartaches of "what if" and of "if only". We replay those scenarios over and over, despite the fact that we can do nothing to change them.
ReplyDeleteA powerful and regrettable tale, well written. Though in reading it seems safe to say you wish it weren't so! Quite the poem, Hank!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness.. thiS noW
ReplyDeletereminds me of supervising
a crew of lifeguards as Athletic
Director of a Military Installation..
i didn't go into that line of work
for potential liFE or Death
situations i miGht be
responsible
for..
but that
does come
wITh experience
i guess.. and so much
harder when you are
actually drowning in
whatever may come in LiFe..:)
Oh this was sad... To stand by the side and see it happening...
ReplyDeleteThat picture haunts me! A very sad tale Hank.
ReplyDeletegreat contrast to the image that the word picnic usually conjures up.. fine and unusual take
ReplyDelete