‘Impossible Space’ by Randall Stephen Hall

© 21.3.17

When someone dies

They leave behind them

An impossible space.

For their family and friends.

For their enemies and for those

Who never really understood them.

Like an individual wave

Pushing and pulling against the hard edge

Of a Derry quay.

Each wave only comes the once

To be replaced by another and another

All pushing for the same thing.

A new tide.

This loss pulls at the gut

Brings emotions up to our heart.

Chokes us up with tears

And leaves us unable to speak

Or to find the words

In the empty barrel, the dry basket

And the scooped out husk of

A life now passed.

Yet the man across the bridge

Asks us now to follow.

To swallow our sorrows

For across that bridge

Lie the many green fields

Of a peaceful valley.