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Sunday, August 25, 2013

To mark the occasion of my daughter's first week of college at VCU, I have written her a poem. Please read and comment.


Empty Room

Your room lies empty—once again
And like before, the house is quieter
Your music no longer wafting
Floor to floor, the bathroom counter no longer
Commandeered completely in your morning routine.
            These little things remain unchanged.

 So much is different—this time.
           Your bedroom walls no longer scream
           Hurt-filled words when I enter, words I needed to hear
And left untouched, uncovered hoping you would find
What you needed in the wilderness and return
To paint a sunrise over it. 

The walls sing to me now, of new beginnings
And patience and love. And though I know
Full well the bittersweet truth—your rising sun
Heralds the twilight of your time here with me,
I am comforted. The ties that bind us cannot be broken
Though a thousand suns burn and die.

 

                                           -Helene Brown, August 25, 2013