---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Gone Fishing” Down in the Dirt, v173 (the July 2020 Issue) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology Outside the Box the Down in the Dirt May-Aug. 2020 issues collection book		get the 422 page May-Aug. 2020 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

When I woke

Tamara Belko

When I woke, I forgot you were gone --
sometimes it doesn’t seem real
that you’re no longer flesh, blood, bone --
and when I remembered, I couldn’t
catch my breath, just like that day,
when my knees wobbled and the air was
knocked from me like a gut punch.

A gut punch this morning with coffee,
sugar and cream can’t cut the bitterness
each burnt sip a reminder I won’t hear
your voice when I call, no news of your
health when I inquire, and I’ll remember
I haven’t talked to you in years, can’t remember,
the sound of your voice; it’s been so long,
your voice stolen by this illness, just like
my breath on that day, and I’ll remember
the prognosis was always going to be the same,
you were never going to get better

Sometimes when I’m drifting between dream
and consciousness, I forget you’re no longer
flesh, blood, bone -- forget there’s nothing left
for me to hold, only dust ...

And in the morning, there’s always the gut punch

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...