Esther Leclerc

Esther Leclerc (20 min's from the beach)

Poems by Esther Leclerc : 55 / 47

One Moment - Poem by Esther Leclerc

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Alive, full of life - -
laughing at jokes, I imagine,
grooving to the music on the radio
20 miles from his destination - -
Can't wait, can't wait to get home

But, he's dead now, finally lying,
spread-eagled on the road
not yet cold

And all I see are old black shoes,
shoes pointing my way
and a blanket-covered body
(so small... so young)
as our car, lavish with life, glides by

I've never seen a fresh-dead person
Never seen someone whose
last moment in life, first in death

caused so much confusion
(why are we not moving?)
anger (WHY are we still not moving? !)
then, bitter tears for the loss
(Oh, God......)

Rescue workers wandered alone,
foiled, forlorn, unfulfilled in the mission
to quicken the dead

He was alive, so alive, only
moments ago... like you, like me
full of plans, full of life, full of self - -
empty now, dead body on the road
Does he know that it only took a moment? ...

(4.18.06 - On the long drive to Disney World, of all places. So very sad.)

Esther Leclerc

Poems by Esther Leclerc : 55 / 47

Barry Van Allen (2/24/2007 5:36:00 AM)

Esther,
Well said, ... to be within moments of someone losing theirs,
can and most likely, will change your own life forever! (Report) Reply
Alison Cassidy (7/20/2006 7:38:00 PM)

Esther, This is a fine poem, conveying feelings of both shock and compassion. And yet, isn't that the poet's job? To clarify, the explain, to synthesize the tragedies and ecstacies of life? I particularly liked your words 'fresh-dead person' and your description of the reaction of those for whom the incident was nothing more than a nuisance.. What a waste! love, Allie (Report) Reply
John Churchill (5/12/2006 8:49:00 AM)

So tragic it takes moment, a blink of the eye, from life to death.
You tell the story so movingly, showing you own concern and compassion
Thanks for sharing, John (Report) Reply
Gina Onyemaechi (5/2/2006 8:54:00 AM)

Well-relayed, Esther. And thanks for your comment on my poem earlier.
Love,
Gina. (Report) Reply
Lydia Francese (4/29/2006 9:30:00 PM)

very true. you are so a good poet. don't discount yourself.
-Lydia,13 :) (Report) Reply
David Darbyshire (4/28/2006 1:17:00 AM)

yes your life can change in a split second esther, I know believe me, I know! Dave xxx (Report) Reply
Mike Finley (4/25/2006 8:27:00 AM)

A sweet, sad, frightening observation. (Report) Reply
Duncan Wyllie (4/23/2006 2:01:00 AM)

A very debateable subject, but I really enjoyed the kind thoughts for another here Esther, thankyou, A brilliantly described poem, Thankyou so much love Duncan (Report) Reply
Brian Dorn (4/21/2006 11:07:00 PM)

Life is so fragile. I often think about this, how it can all end so quickly (in one moment) ... and how we so often take it for granted. Excellent write!
Brian (Report) Reply
Moya Levy (4/20/2006 6:24:00 PM)

This is...has left me lost for words, lost in that moment of what you describe. But I like it, Moyax (Report) Reply
Uriah Hamilton (4/20/2006 6:21:00 PM)

The mystery of coming and going, the spiritual magnet keeps the process unending. (Report) Reply
Chuck Audette (4/19/2006 4:11:00 PM)

Wow, that is really awful (the tragic death, not the poem!) . Your poem reminds us to love and live fully, and avoid driving folly. - chuck (Report) Reply
Anna Russell (4/19/2006 8:36:00 AM)

This is so haunting and powerful, with each word fully earning it's place on the line. Esther, I am proud to call you a friend.
Hugs
Anna xxx (Report) Reply
Ernestine Northover (4/19/2006 8:18:00 AM)

Like a candle, it can be snuffed out within a second, or less, life is very fragile, and no one knows when or where death will strike. A very moving write about an inevitable happening. Sad but something we all have to accept, that we are not immortal.Well described and constructed. Love Ernestine XXX (Report) Reply
Scarlett Treat (4/19/2006 7:56:00 AM)

Isn't it amazing how quickly we drive by, forgetting there is a human body lying still warm on the road, and we turn back into self centered people, fretting because we are stuck in traffic? (Report) Reply
Sandra Erickson (4/19/2006 6:29:00 AM)

A grim reminder that life is uncertain.
This must have been a very difficult write.

I especially like the last stanza.
It could stand alone, I think,
it paints the picture so well.

Sandra (Report) Reply