James B. Earley (5 April 1934 / Mounds, Il)
Distant Haze
There was a knock upon my door
…In…the light…was she
Grab your coat and in the rain
Come take a walk with me
So many times we’d hop the bus
To…A faraway…picture show
Days of Summer we’d take our poles
…And fishing…we would go
We’d sit atop the earthen bank
…Reflections in…the rippling…water
Laughing and talking…the two of us
…Without…romance…to bother
Graduation night…A distant haze
I’ve struggled with…so much
…The day…we went....our separate way
And failed to keep in touch
…Inquiring…of her…sometime ago
From a relative I chanced to meet
'A prostitute…on drugs…she is
……….Working…some city street'
Stinging words…….in that reply
An avalanche…of tears…inside
The pain of which I won’t deny
And now…I hear....that she....has died
If perchance…it was…her darkest hour
…When that path......she chose......to take
Then…may God please…forgive…the call
………..The call……I failed…to make
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What a beautiful penned poem about the uncertainties in life. Tragic turns and chances missed to connect. Very touching…
Wow James... talk about destiny taking us down different paths! Life is interesting if nothing else. I felt your pain in this one James.
Shirley
the second last stanza is so beautiful.... i don't have words to express. thanks alot for sharing this poem with me.
A haunting beautiful story so very well penned..10+
A very touching piece of work. Filled with much sadness, but the saddest truth is, this can all most be anyone in this saddend world of sin that surrounds us... Very moving a 10....
Sad poem with regrets to cloud memory. She also could have gone another way after all, so you should not have that kind of guilt. She also could have called. We choose to live our lives in a certain way.
It seems to me you two enjoyed some of the happiest times of both your lives, James.
A sad and reflective poem that has left you wondering why there was such an outcome and whether you could have helped in some way. It is written with a beautiful style and genuine concern for another human being. Lovely work. Karin Anderson
A very poignant, beautiful poem.Well written and full of memories.As in life, all is not good and all is not bad but somewhat a mixture.We must forgive ourselves for the not so good and leave it behind to do better next time.I love this poem James. It is very human. A well deserved 10 from me. THANK YOU for sharing.
hmmmm...so many ifs.......buts...........well penned....very touchy...