memorial stone
a genesis of ruin
in every sip
all their raised fists and voices
all of my paralysis
A night so long ago. Her absolute enabled-tongue lashing you to mindless rage. Her slumped on the stairs, you above her, fists clenched, driving down. I, a boy of twelve, headlocking you off her. You, a middle-aged man, breaking free, shoving me against a wall. Then fleeing our tears.
starless night my knuckle-shaped dent in the panelling
Another night so long ago. Your absolute-enabled tongue eviscerating my being, until only raw woundedness remains. Me, shoving you away, grabbing your keys and escaping. Me, backing your car too quickly out of the driveway, striking the driver’s side front quarter panel against the basketball hoop’s steel pole.
black sky the sight of the road through tears
Other days and nights not so long ago. Staying by your side through your terminal illness. Standing vigil until your last breath. Watching your coffin laid into the ground. Bringing a wreath in winter, and flowers in summer, to your grave.
daybreak a dove takes flight
memorial stone
inscribed with words from the heart
despite everything
each day I forgive you both
a little more than before
for Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 125#SynonymsOnly
dVerse Tuesday Poetics Blame and Forgiveness (pubtended by Frank Hubeny)
Real Toads Tuesday Platform (imagined by Sanaa Rizvi)
Frank J. Tassone 
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