Sunday, April 19, 2009

NaPoWriMo #19

One Single Impression: One Word

Simply Hi
By Edward S. Gault

The minister finished
With the customary ashes to ashes.
His family and two friends gathered around
The coffin, as it was lowered into the ground.
His friends remembered how dejected
He was the last time they had seen him.
They remembered the intercom announcement
By the principal that he had died.
And how he died.
Oh God, how he died!
And alone.
Most were asking who he was.
They didn’t even know him.
Now, as dirt was being shoveled in,
The two that did, wondered why,
Maybe- just once!-more people
Couldn’t have said just one word to him
Simply, Hi.

Walking along path,
Burdened with troubles-He came!
-spoke just one word, Peace.

Copyright©2009

11 comments:

Amias (ljm and liquidplastic) said...

Hi Edward. This is most appropriate. Thought provoking indeed.

Jeeves said...

Very profound

Maggie said...

Sometimes a person aches for just one caring word.

...many times they are too few and far in between to a lonely person.

I enjoyed this poem.

Deborah Godin said...

How easy it can be to forget all the kindnesses we have in our power to give.

anthonynorth said...

An important message about community - and finished off with a flourish.

Geraldine said...

Oh this is so sad but so true too. Well done Edward. This hits close to home for me...

qualcosa di bello said...

your words remind me of how i need to be...to see everyone as someone

SandyCarlson said...

I think we all crave that one word that carries kindness and a sense of connection.

Tumblewords: said...

Excellent piece on a sad part of today's hurried 'me' life.

gabrielle said...

the simplest kindness can tip the world on its axis. you never know. Hi. I see you.
powerful story.

spacedlaw said...

The axis of the world on a single word.
Very strong.