Husband Death Poem

Obstacles, Choices, Resiliency, Peace

This poem tells the painful story of confronting one of the myriad of tasks that I had to do after the death my life partner. In this case, I attempt to pack up and dispose of his personal items, beginning with his shoes. What seems like a simple task unleashes a slew of memories and emotions. In his closet, an unexpectedly intimate space, the sights, sounds, smells, and memories of my partner collide to create a poignant and painful scene that balances the figurative with the literal..

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Luann: First of all I'm so sorry for the loss of your life partner. I can only imagine how difficult that would be! I do have to tell you that very few poems have transported me to a scene...

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Baby Steps

Published by Family Friend Poems March 1, 2024 with permission of the Author.

I tell myself I need
to take baby steps
beginning with his shoes.
Plastic bag in hand I enter the closet
where nothing has been touched
since ...

Shelves
hold flap-jack stacks of shirts
separated into "work" and "dress".
I once told him that his graphic tees
were more suitable for a teenager
than for a grandpa.
He once told me
that a grandma shouldn't worry
about what other people think.

The closet carries his scent:
a blend of Irish Spring soap,
sawdust, and perspiration
imbedded into his ball caps.
I once buried my nose
so deeply into his neck
that the scent of him
became incense in my soul.

I am transported back to the moment,
stopped in my tracks,
when I sensed that his unique scent
had been replaced by the scent of death.
Not slowly and subtly
but cruelly and rapidly
as he slipped from my life.

Blinking eyes
give way
to gut-sobs
punctuated only by the sound
of shoes
as I drop them
one pair at a time
into the plastic bag.

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!

by Luann Winkle Poet
1 month ago

Thank you for your kind words, Doug. I am glad that my poem resonated with you. It was a difficult time in my life and writing poetry was part of my grief journey. Best wishes, LA

by Doug W Benson
1 month ago

Luann:
First of all I'm so sorry for the loss of your life partner. I can only imagine how difficult that would be! I do have to tell you that very few poems have transported me to a scene quite like this one. I could see everything in my minds eye, smell every scent you so clearly described and even hear the plastic bag when it was first introduced clear through the end when the shoes hit. I could even feel the relationship between "grandpa and grandma." Honestly one of my favorites! I've learned a lot not only about you, but from you in such a beautifully written poem! Thanks again!

Best Wishes,
Doug.