Empty Nest
It isn’t
the very quiet house,
the pause from the hustle
or the lack of last minute paperwork
that get you.
No,
It’s opening the dishwasher and seeing
two plates
two mugs
two spoons
but having to run it anyway
and the missed quick peck
on a cheek
as they leave the house
that get you.
It isn’t the looking down the hallway
at unoccupied rooms
that don’t require tidying
or the not having to nag about homework
that get you.
No,
It’s the laundry that no longer piles up,
the not being the first to ask How did you sleep? How was your day?,
the not noticing we’re out of bread
because there are no more lunches to pack
that get you.
It isn’t the freedom
to now come and go as we wish
or the trash that never seems to accumulate
or the pantry that’s always too full
that get you.
No,
It’s the “table for two, please”
because we are suddenly only half.
It’s the need to fill this newfound time
in an attempt to make our hearts whole
again
so that we’re not always thinking about
how it really is
the very quiet house.
Phones of the Wind
In a garden, by the sea,
through the woods, upon a tree,
on a snowy mountain peak,
there’s a comfort many seek.
Mourners come, both young and old,
traveling through heat and cold,
to use a very special phone
that helps them all feel less alone.
“Phones of the Wind” became a way
to grieve, to talk, to hope, to pray,
to share the details of the day,
to say the things they didn’t say…
“I’ll see you soon.”
“Our love was true.”
“Forgive me, Mom.”
“We’ve all missed you.”
“She’s so grown up. Wish you could see.”
“I think that you’d be proud of me.”
…to send their love, to mend, to heal,
to tell them how they really feel,
to share a dream, or just to cry;
A chance to say a last goodbye,
to hold them close, although they’re gone,
to give them courage to go on,
to keep the bond, renew their strength,
for love will go to any length.
There is no ring, no dial tone.
It’s just a disconnected phone.
A bittersweet long-distance guide;
a bridge to reach the other side.
Beneath the sun and stars and moon
they reach the ones they lost too soon.
Love that has nowhere to go
is sent along the line, and so,
Whispers in the wind will find
a solace for those left behind.
Bringing peace to all who try,
a link to lives beyond the sky.
Sue Fliess is the author of over 50 published children’s books and has had essays published in O the Oprah Magazine, Huffington Post, Writer’s Digest, and more. Her books have been selected by the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, received industry awards and starred reviews, been named to notable lists and published in multiple languages. Learn more at www.suefliess.com.
Sparks of Calliope 