How selfish am I
To think only of myself
When he is the one
Who really suffered
While I only watched
And could do nothing
He kept saying, "I'm sorry"
I am sorry
Sorry I could not
Make you well
Sorry I could not
Lift you out of pain
So cancer took
Another victim
And all I could do
Was watch
Helpless -- even now
I am sending my love
Out and hoping it
Falls near your soul
How selfish am I?
You have gone on a journey
Without me
And we used to do
Everything together
Except this time
I was not able to
Be beside you on the trip
Just part of the way -- for now
©April 2, 2025
Diane E. Dockum
Loss
Some Days
Some days
it's hard to move
to get out of bed
to open the curtains
Some days
the promise of coffee
or a shower
is reason enough
Some days
I don't bother to wear make-up
or shower
and put off getting dressed
Some days
are too much trouble
are too quiet and lonely
but the idea of going out is unthinkable
Some days
I look at old photographs
to convince myself
you were really here, with me.
Some days
I hope I will see you again
I hope we recognize each other
Some day
by Diane E. Dockum
©April 15, 2023
Photo by Diane E. Dockum
Unmoored
I am alive
So they say
Yet it is up for debate
It is true
That I feel like
A hollow log
Floating unmoored
Down a river
Spinning
Turning
Bumping against waves
And other debris
Flotsam and jetsam
In the gin weeds
and pucker brush
Perhaps one day
I will drift ashore
On the other side
copyright by Diane E. Dockum
March 15, 2023
In a Cemetery
I walk among the stones Imagining my body lying Beneath the ground I walk among the stones Wondering where to bury your ashes I am here to buy the ground Our bodies will lie under Side by side Urn by urn To add another stone marker Here in the quiet field where who knows what went on in ancient times I walk and open my spirit To feel the pull To feel the answer I walk and open my heart I think of sleep I think of eternity I think of earthly remains I find our spot I sign the papers Here we will be Maybe remembered By Diane E. Dockum ©September 26, 2022
Marble Hill Press 