I bow my head to pray
Like so many times before
Am I speaking to God or myself?
Is there a difference?
Does it matter?
It doesn’t seem to matter
I’m not asking for help or forgiveness
I’m just trying to sort it out
In my head
In my heart
You have been gone for five years now
I don’t come here as often
I don’t believe you are here
But I come for the solitude
I come to pray
It’s easier these days
But the guilt sometimes overwhelms
Could I have said something to stop you?
Probably
I didn’t want to.
PHOTO PROMPT © Liz Young
Friday Fictioneers is a weekly 100 word writing challenge inspired by a picture prompt. Click here to read other stories.
April is National Poetry Month It is my intention to write and post a poem every Wednesday during the month. #npm17
The Day After 
What a last line!
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Thanks Neil
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Killer last line, Dawn. So off hand and so effetive.
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Thank you Sandra
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Beautiful
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Thank you
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Your last stanza packs such a punch.
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Thank you
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Love the narrative you have included with that final twist.
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Thank you Bjorn
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Oh, how melancholy this poem is. A total gut punch you gave us with that last line.
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Thank you
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The things we leave unsaid or undone are the most difficult to forget. This sounds like it was a complex relationships.
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Thanks Tracey,
I imagines someone who killed themselves which made me think they were most likely depressed and/or a drug user. I thought how hard it must be to live with someone like that, always trying to save them to help them and the frustration that must ensue. How many times can you go through that before you give up?
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Yes that’s a tough type of loss to get over for sure.
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So well put together, with a powerful finial line
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Thank you
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Dear Dawn,
A lot of good questions in this poem. As others have said, the last line packs a powerful punch. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle
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Trying not to repeat here but wow… I can totally understand that last line…
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Thanks Dale
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Great poem, and as others have said, that last line… 🙂
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Thank you
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The last line took me by surprise. Well done!
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Thank you
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Such deep sorrow and regret in these words!
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Thank you
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O.K. I’ll say! Killer last line. Well done, my dear
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Now that last line hints something ominous. Lovely poem!💐
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Thank you
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Your work is always so well constructed. I love the way you led us up to the final line.
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Thanks Russell, that’s very kind of you.
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Yes, that last line says it all. Well done.
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Thank you
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One of the best entries, this week. Fantastic closing line.
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Thank you, that’s very generous of you.
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My pleasure!
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A great twist at the end, Dawn. It changes the story. Good writing. —- Suzanne
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Thanks Suzamme
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Excellent poem. Smelling some mystery in last line.
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Thank you Indira
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he should be at peace now and that’s what matters.
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Yes, thank you.
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The fact that she didn’t want to will haunt her for far longer than the fact that he’s dead. Excellent story, Dawn.
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Thanks Liz.
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Oh, you can feel the guilt oozing off the screen, Dawn. I wonder why she didn’t want to stop them? Perhaps she thought it was for the best at the time. Dark, dark tale. Well done
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When I was writing this I imagined someone who had tried suicide or perhaps was an avid drug user. My protagonist had saved her loved one more than once and found herself always on guard. It seemed a harsh existence and I could imagine giving up.
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Makes perfect sense to me. Some people don’t seem to want to be saved, are too frail emotionally to live long on this world. A horrific decision to have to make though. Heartbreaking Dawn
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I really don’t understand people like that (and I know that is on me). I’m so glad i have ever had to live with this.
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To me, that person is being honest in admitting to herself that she didn’t want to stop him from committing suicide. There must be some pretty compelling reasons behind that decision, and you’ve left me guessing what they might be. An excellent piece of writing.
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Thank you Sarah.
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Poignant piece.
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Thank you
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You’re welcome, Dawn.
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Killing it with poetry! Great twist in the end.
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Thank you 🙂
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