Absent angel

 

Mary on the hill,

her dying son,

her aching bones

and flesh, her

flock of his friends

looking to her for

what?

 

david-michaelShe 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/.

3 Comments

  1. Judy Lafferty McGrath November 21, 2016 at 2:44 pm - Reply

    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!!!!

  2. Mary Elizabeth Zelasko November 21, 2016 at 7:18 pm - Reply

    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

    • Patrick T. Reardon November 22, 2016 at 12:20 pm - Reply

      Thank you, Mary Beth. We’re swimming together. Love you. Pat

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