13 August 2025

Love poems to the dead

 


All the people I had sensual
love with are dead—both lovers and non-
lovers who shared in my heart.  So,
I wouldn’t be able to stay here after
death like Andrea Gibson writes in
“Love Letter from the Afterlife.” I’ve
no one to touch.  Instead, I write love poems
to the dead.  And in death, would we be
reunited?  I don't believe in that kind of afterlife. 
Alive, I have poems.  Love stays near me in
poems, letters, photos, and memories. 
Tears come.  And smiles.  I want
to hug all of them and converse for hours. 
I wish to be moss under their trees, a tree
over their moss.  I sighed reading “Love Letters,”
grieved that I had no one alive to write
a love letter to, worried that I’ve been too
closed to love, too invulnerable
for health.  And I don’t know.  I'd like to
find out, but not enough to pursue it.


For Sherry's prompt "Love Letter from the Afterlife" at What's Going On? 

 

My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
© 2025 Susan L. Chast


4 comments:

  1. Sumana Roy8/13/2025 2:37 AM

    "Love stays near me in
    poems, letters, photos, and memories.
    Tears come. And smiles."... This is the song of life, so beautifully told, Susan. And so relatable. "I wish to be moss under their trees, a tree / over their moss." Aww. The lines seem to be a niche where love and beauty dwell together and where we return again and again.

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  2. Mary8/13/2025 9:25 AM

    I had not read Sumana's comment, but the same words struck me: "Love stays near me in
    poems, letters, photos, and memories. " However, I would like to add...you have a blessed and rich life if you have these poems, letters, photos, and memories. Not everyone does.

    " I'd like to find out, but not enough to pursue it ." Gut level honesty here! And in response, I would say....never say never, and there is still time!

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  3. Sherry Blue Sky8/13/2025 10:54 AM

    Susan, this poem resonates for me. Love hurt too much, and i chose solitude. But we get to remember, and to love the world, through our poems. My online poet friends mean the world to me and i am grateful for you all. Mary said it so well....your life has been rich indeed. Mine too.

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  4. Kim M. Russell8/13/2025 11:25 AM

    I love the idea of writing love poems to the dead, Susan, and I agree with these lines:
    ‘Alive, I have poems. Love stays near me in
    poems, letters, photos, and memories.’

    ReplyDelete

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