Splinters rasp. Pancreas.
The word cracks
it open.
The surgeon’s voice echoes
months
in a thunderclap
straight down the middle.
Your last sigh, exhaled,
broke it forever.
Yet, listen. Days like today
I can hear it
sounds like pebbles
at the seashore.
Pep 13/8/66 - 16/6/03
Always for you, Pep. 143
Answer #14 was also 
'13 Untitled (Sally) 51,668;
'12 Barcelona Clash 51,878;
'11 Mojo Madness 52,793;
'10 Changing Directions 53,400;
'09 Daybreak 56,565;
'08 Vacant 52,486
" sounds like pebbles
ReplyDeleteat the seashore." You always take it to a different level, Kymm! Great piece, dear.
You are very kind, TIZ. Thank you!
DeleteA gut punch. That is what this was. You are awesome, Kymm!
ReplyDeleteHa You are so hardcore, Tina, if you parry a gut punch with an awesome : )
DeleteThank you!!
"echoes months in a thunderclap", that's exactly how it sounds.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words for a painful loss
Hope it's getting lighter to carry him in your heart, Kir < 3
DeleteThank you!
" Days like today
ReplyDeleteI can hear it
sounds like pebbles
at the seashore." - my most favorite line now~
Thank you, Archita, that's so sweet!
DeleteI love so many things about this...I can hear individual words: pancreas, months. I can hear the sigh and the thunderclap and the sea. The last image is beautiful, but maybe my favorite line is: "Yet, listen." It keeps the "you" of the poem close. Fine, fine, fine work.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the love, Jennifer! It's wonderful to hear what works, and what stays with others : )
DeleteSuch a beautiful description of loss, Kymm. Excellent work, my friend. :)
ReplyDeleteI thank you kindly, Suzanne!
DeleteBrutal and lovely, Kymm. Great job.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it. Thank you, Christi!
DeleteA powerful and vivid sharing of loss so well depicted in so few words.
ReplyDeleteSharing the loss lightens the burden, so they say. Thank you, CC!
Delete"your surgeons voice echoes months in a thunderclap straight down the middle"
ReplyDeletewah. that line. that's brilliant. love this.
Thanks for the love, Soapie! Glad you liked it.
DeleteThis truly was heartbreaking, not just because of its title, but because of the emotions it evoked in me. Lately, I am so mindful of the brevity of life, and this piece brings it to the forefront.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you for the powerful emotions you awakened.
Cheryl
Sorry if it touched close to home. Thank you, Cheryl!
DeleteIs it me, or does it make sense if i read it from bottom to top as well?
ReplyDeleteHaha Read it whatever way you want, Habiba! Not sure I like it ending on pancreas, though. Such an ugly word.
Deleteugly word,yet an essential organ. v essential. y, we only have one of it!
DeleteYes. Only ugly because of what it meant. Hope to keep mine for a long while yet : )
DeleteThis is fantastic. The pain it evokes, powerful use of words..superb!
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear that. Thank you, Uma!
DeleteI can hear that 'thunderclap straight down the middle' so well!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's the kind of noise that's hard to miss. Thanks so much, Shailaja!
DeleteThis is achingly beautiful. Every word is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThat's really lovely to hear. Thank you, silverleaf!
DeleteVery different approach...nice!
ReplyDeleteGlad you thought so. Thanks, AW!
Deletelove this, especially: "The surgeon’s voice echoes
ReplyDeletemonths
in a thunderclap
straight down the middle."!!
Oh, thanks for the love, Jen!
DeleteThat shattering sound of a diagnosis and then of pebbles at the sea...this is so good, poignant, fragile.
ReplyDeleteSo you heard the shattering, eh? Thank you so much, Meg!
DeleteMost excellent language and imagery, Kymm! I'll never look at the word pancreas the same way. It's surprising and visceral where you placed it. And the last breath/pebbles on shore metaphor is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYour comments are like a little private prize, Nate, thank you! It's nice to hear that using 'pancreas' - a bit of a risk - worked so well : )
DeleteLove this!
ReplyDeleteLove the love, Susan. Thank you!
DeleteWell done Kymm - This was really great!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Thom! I appreciate it.
DeleteSo many sounds used to such powerful effect. I'm going to take away the pebbles though. Wonderfully written - so evocative and the pain of loss so clear.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sarah Ann! Take all the pebbles you want, there are always plenty more < 3
DeleteYay, Kymm! Such a well-deserved editor's pick. I voted for this and am happy to see it rewarded. A really beautiful piece that resonated with me.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Meg! Nice heads-up :) I'm a *sorry* it resonated with you, but glad you like it so much. *hugs*
DeleteIt took me a while to fall in love with it but I definitely have. "Your last sigh, exhaled, broke it forever." Such a poignant line. The editor's made the right call.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely thing to say! Thank you so much!
Delete