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Friday, May 30, 2025

Letter To Heaven

Dreams seem to flow in and out of my mind lately. They sweep across each night, but I rarely remember a complete dream. I try to keep parts of each dream lodged inside my memory, but I usually fall asleep, and then, the dream vanishes.  

Designed by CVarsalona using Fotojet

At the beginning of May, the Poetry Sisters, Liz Garton ScanlonTanita at {fiction, instead of lies}Laura Purdie Salas, Tricia at The Miss Rumphius EffectSara at  Read Write Believeand Mary Lee Hahn, invited writers to join their challenge. They have been in conversation with Elizabeth Bishop's "Letter to N.Y.", using the golden shovel format created by poet Terrance Hayes. As one of the #PoetryPals, I have constructed a draft of a poem entitled Letter To Heaven with bits and pieces of night dreams and two strike lines from Bishop's mentor text: 1. where everything seems to happen in waves, and  2. nevertheless, I'd like to know.

On this spring-scented May day, where
thoughts float through the clouds, everything
reminds me of our last goodbye. It seems
unreal without you here to
hold my hand and handle finances. What will happen
to your paperwork, stacked up in
piles that push forward as rapidly, ascending waves?
Life seems difficult now, nevertheless,
I must continue to move forward. I'd
be content wishing upon a star like
a child learning how to
enjoy life. For now, I need help being in the know.
©CVarsalona, 2025

It is time now for me to add my #PoetryPals themed poem to the Poetry Friday Roundup. The lovely poet/author Karen Edmisten is our host this week. Thank you, Karen, for supporting me through this difficult chapter of my life. I shall meet you at your blog site. For those interested in the Poetry Friday weekly roundup, please visit Karen's blog here. 19 writers besides Karen are sharing their work.

20 comments:

  1. Beautiful and poignant -- good job with the golden shovel form! The final line goes straight to the heart. Thanks for continuing to share your journey through grief with poetry.

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    1. Jama, poetry is a way to release my inner thoughts during these trying times. Thank you for spending some time with me.

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    2. Beautiful Carol. My heart is with you. ❤️

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  2. Carol, this is deeply touching. I feel your grief and wish you happy memories.

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    1. Thank you, Tracey. I appreciate your comment knowing that PF friends understand.

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  3. Carol, this is one of your best poems. It's heartbreakingly beautiful. I've been thinking of you -- and I ask God that every time I do, that it be a prayer.

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    1. Dear Anonymous, I wish I kew who you are so I can thank you personally. Prayers matters!

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  4. Carol, your golden shovel captures your current situation so well. I think of you often and lift you and your family up in prayer during this challenging time.

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    1. Ramona, one of these days I shall talk with you. Right now I am inundated with so many things to do. I appreciate our friendship and your prayers.

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  5. You are loved and lifted up by many, Carol. It's a beautiful, generous thing that you can direct such grief into these beautiful poetic offerings as you've done many weeks/months. Continued prayers for you and appreciation for your talents and sensitivity.

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    1. Robyn, your words are so comforting . This week has been an especially diffficult one so thoughts from Poetry Friday friends are welcomed. I appreciate your prayers also.

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  6. Carol, you've so poignantly captured the utter uncertainty and fear that comes with grief. I'm sending ongoing prayers!

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    1. Karen, I appreciate your continued comments and prayers that comfort me. Prayers Matter!

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  7. Carol, such a heartfelt, personal poem. The golden shovel can be tricky and you have used it so beautifully here, sending a letter to Heaven and sharing it with us. I feel your hope and pain and sadness, and see your strength. This is scary but you do what is needed, right? One step at a time . Yet being able to put some words to your emotions, especially seeing your last goodbye in every moment. This is love. Sending up a prayer.

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    1. Hugs from Janet Clare F.

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    2. Janet, it is so good to hear from you, especially during this exceptionally difficult time. I wonder about my strength because I don't feel it now. There are too much on my to-do list and not enought time in each day. Thank you for the comment and prayer.

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  8. Oh, Carol. A friend and neighbor lost her husband a month ago, and she talks about the burden of paperwork. Such a difficult loss followed by difficult work. It’s as though you have no time to grieve. I’m so sorry for all this, but I’m heartened by reading your poetry. You will get through this.

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    1. Margaret, tendure he word burden is exactly what the paperwork is all about. I sit at my husband's desk trying to sort through the paperwork while taking poetry breaks. Thank you for being a constant friend. I will continue to write about my deep feelings that is easier to do than constantly having to replay Richard's ordeal. I continue to ask the Lord for help. Being alone is difficult. My son is super depressed because his he lost his best buddy. I am grateful that you have continued as the anchor for Spiritual Journey Thursday. I appreciate this.

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  9. You’ve written such a heartfelt, powerful poem Carol, and these two striking lines
    flow and work handsomely well together. Your ending lines turn and achingly pull at our heart—beautiful. Sending love and ❤️‍🩹 your way.

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    1. Michelle, thank you for your beautiful thoughts about my poem. I am grateful for your gift of love-from one friend to another. I also enjoy being a #PoetryPal beside you.

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