Susie Lost

It’s funny how those we leave

Are in stasis

Locked in the pose we saw them last

like Snow White in her glass box.

I see you at 22

Holding that darn gerbil under your chin

Squinting into the harsh sun.

Life pulled us apart gently

Carrying two leaves on separate eddies.

And when the current slowed

I looked for you

and found a page titled

In Memoriam.

An accident it says.

It makes no sense.

No “beware the stranger”

Not even “eat right and exercise”

For God’s sake

What moral can I take from that?

Maybe you’re an omen

Standing at the crossroads of my life

Waving your arms

Frantic with a message

About wasting time

I only think I have.

Did you pack a lifetime

Of loving

In a small handbag of moments?

Did you concentrate

Living by squeezing out

All the water of your tears?

You stare at me from the page

Intense and alive

Defying the death sentence

Daring me to believe

That the apple might yet fall from your lips.

Janna O’Donnell

Comments: 26

Pat M. May 15, 2007, 11:35pm EDT

Powerful. And right on the money.
Though we wish it otherwise, there is no moral to be taken, is there?Perhaps we believe if there was a purpose to life-shattering events we could understand them better. But there isn't. And we can't.

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Laura H. May 16, 2007, 1:02am EDT

Wonderful. I think Pat says it well.

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pat M. May 16, 2007, 1:10am EDT

Lovely Jana, thanks

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Janna O'Donnell May 16, 2007, 9:52am EDT

Thank you, Pat. I think struggling with senseless loss is something everyone must face. My friend left one three year old son behind and a husband. She left this earth with her 6 year old son, a victim of the same accident. It's a crisis of faith because it seems so random. Some will come to the conclusion that there is no purpose and no one running the show. Others will search their souls and choose to believe that even if they don't understand, they will still believe. Either way, it is a deep struggle.

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Janna O'Donnell May 16, 2007, 9:53am EDT

Thank you, Laura.

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Janna O'Donnell May 16, 2007, 9:53am EDT

Thank you, Pat.

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Otelia S. May 16, 2007, 1:03pm EDT

That's so sad. Nicely written.

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Janna O'Donnell May 16, 2007, 1:42pm EDT

Thank you, Otelia.

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Edward Nudelman May 16, 2007, 8:33pm EDT

Superb poem, Janna. The questions are perfectly worded. This one sings. Well done.

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Janna O'Donnell May 16, 2007, 9:08pm EDT

Thank you, Ed. I really appreciate your comment.

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Janna O'Donnell May 17, 2007, 5:51am EDT

Thank you, Mark. We were close friends in graduate school who lost touch. You always think you'll have time to reconnect and catch up with old friends. Sadly, that is not always true.

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Synchronicity W. May 18, 2007, 3:13pm EDT

oh my god this is good! i mean really good. you waste no words...the images stick with you...snow white in the glass box...the handbag of moments. your writing is exceptional.

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Janna O'Donnell May 18, 2007, 5:10pm EDT

Thank you, Synchronicity. What a great compliment. Please come back and read anytime.

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Pamela G. May 20, 2007, 5:01pm EDT

Lovely

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Janna O'Donnell May 20, 2007, 9:41pm EDT

Thank you, Pamela.

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Susan *. May 22, 2007, 8:50am EDT

heartbreaking yet thought provoking as well....I had a friend who often announced..."live today as if it might be your last" while we met on our way between classes....later I found she had left this world young as well. It makes me wonder if somehow she knew.........

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Janna O'Donnell May 22, 2007, 9:50am EDT

Thank you, Susan. I hope that they somehow knew and lived their lives to the fullest in the time they had.

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Barbara B. Jun 7, 2007, 6:24pm EDT

I am at a loss for words Janna.
Thank you so much.

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Jodi V. Jun 24, 2007, 2:30pm EDT

This was such a beautiful piece, Janna. It reminds me of the last time I saw my cousin before she was killed in a car accident when I was 15 and she was only 17. Takes me right back to that memory of her standing with her hands on her hips, laughing with her head thrown back... You are a true artist.

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