Absent angel
Mary on the hill,
her dying son,
her aching bones
and flesh, her
flock of his friends
looking to her for
what?
She endured.
The next step
is a step in
any direction.
The thirteen
of us swim in
the suicide of
our brother.
We can’t
help but
drink in
the gall.
A sister
sends a
text with
David’s
voice like
Abraham’s
blooded knife
and no angel
swooping to
the rescue.
Patrick T. Reardon
11.21.16
Written by : Patrick T. Reardon
For more than three decades Patrick T. Reardon was an urban affairs writer, a feature writer, a columnist, and an editor for the Chicago Tribune. In 2000 he was one of a team of 50 staff members who won a Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting. Now a freelance writer and poet, he has contributed chapters to several books and is the author of Faith Stripped to Its Essence. His website is https://patricktreardon.com/.
His pain must have been unbearable I feel blessed to see him one more time on 10/24/15. I actually got to kiss him good bye without ever knowing it. My 8th grade football love #32!!!!
Yes we are swimming and trying to keep our heads above water. Thank you for the beautiful words. They help me stay afloat.
Love you
Thank you, Mary Beth. We’re swimming together. Love you. Pat