Charmed Chaos
Musings on Life, Love, and Linguine-Poetry & Writing
Those You Left Behind
I’m going now, so I bid you good-bye if you like,
you can read about my demise in the Sunday paper
A tragic dramatic ending to my sordid life I leave no note but know
I go so not to cause more strife to those who love the me
They believe me to be.
You left me I suppose so I could be forever free,
at least ‘free’ from the physical you but not the fractured memories
of your melodic voice and blue eyes or the way you smiled at me
And so you left this world clothed in a suit of self hate,
when you went knocking, begging at the hallowed gates
I bet they made you wait before they turned you away
so in hell’s limbo you wander far from the daunting fray
of our shattered souls that fight to live every single day
Did you think..of those you left behind, how you broke our hearts
for we will never be the same now shrouded in shame… a mystery
forever asking ourselves why you slipped and fell apart
How selfish of you to leave us with nothing but self-blame,
how conceited to think of no one else only your own pain
While we are left to grieve forever in winter’s pouring rain.
©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg
Author’s Note: This is my first time to write Confessional poetry. On February 18, 1994 my husband of almost 7 years killed himself. In this poem, the first stanza is in what I imagine to be his voice. The remainder of the poem is in mine and those he left behind.
dVerse: https://dversepoets.com/2019/01/15/dverse-poetics-the-art-of-confession-in-poetry/
Tuesday. Platform: http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-tuesday-platform_15.html
Share this:
51 Comments on “Those You Left Behind”
Leave a comment
JUST RELEASED!
JUST RELEASED!
Bartender at
Barista at Go Dog Go Cafe
Awards Top 20 Short Story Blog
Recent Comments
 | Michael Thiltgen on The Legend of Jump River … |
 | Linda Lee Lyberg on Spring Sigh |
 | Jetty on Spring Sigh |
| Linda Lee Lyberg on The Legend of Jump River … |
 | Mickey on The Legend of Jump River … |
POETS CORNER
Charmed Chaos 
So poignant, as you pour out your heart! Thanks for sharing something so personal.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Joyroses.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome and a warm hug too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Suicide is final, and I always try to grasp why people do it… somehow I feel that it has to be when someone feels that they have run out of options… I also wrote of a suicide but not someone I know… and how I maybe was part of the cause by just (not) being in the office…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Bjorn. Yes, it is. Going over to read now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Suicide, sooner or later, touches us all. For we who survive, suicide never seems a viable option. Teen suicides are the saddest for me. Your poem is a heart breaker. I admire your honesty.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, indeed it does. And you are right, they are the saddest. Thank you Glenn.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on davidbruceblog #2.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Linda I am so so deeply sorry 😦 Losing someone is never easy. This is a powerful, poignant confessional poem.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Sanaa for your kind words.
LikeLike
Nice last line and this one: “And so you left this world clothed in a suit of self hate, “
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much Frank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow Linda. I’m so sorry for this loss. This is something I haven’t considered; that suicide brings with it several layers of pain..even more than grief (which is bad enough). This is raw…and pure in its honesty.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Vivian. A long time ago but is part of my history.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sorry to hear you went through this – I am sure you have rolled this over in your mind a million times. I like that they make him wait in Heaven. Peace to you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you V.J. I tried to convey my anger when it happened. Of course, you go through all the stages of grief many times. For what it’s worth, it made me a better person.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Clearly, you are a strong person – and yes, grief has many layers. Take care.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you V.J.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Linda, how devastating. I understand the pain someone is in when they take such a final step, but in ending theirs, they leave a legacy of pain and devastation in their wake. I live in fear of this happening in my life, as someone close to me has mental illness and talks of suicide all the time. I hope I will not be alive if that happens, for I am no longer strong enough to bear the fallout. I am so sorry this happened to you. Your closing stanza reflects my thoughts on suicide as well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Sherry. I would never wish it on anyone. But, I survived and now, I am happy. I have a good life.
LikeLike
Heartbreaking … exquisite … oh my, this is a stunning piece of writing, Linda.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, truly.
LikeLike
My man will be gone 15 years tomorrow. If he walked in the door right now. I wouldn’t even ask him how he got here.. I just want him back. I can feel I am not alone here.. And neither are you. This was a heart wrenching read for me.. You wrote it beautifully.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much. My heart goes out to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very straightforward and touching write Linda. I am so sorry for this.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you kindly Rob.
LikeLike
A sad tribute to a dark day in your life I can’t imagine what you must have felt and still do. Well done Linda! So sorry for your loss!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have captured the true intensity of both sides.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sadje. Appreciate your kind words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. It must have been very difficult and brave thing to put this in words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
This touches me deeply as my father attempted suicide 12 years ago…thankfully he’s still with us. I’m so sorry about your husband…be kind to yourself, Linda.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am so happy he didn’t succeed- that’s wonderful Lynn. I’ve been remarried now for 22 years and I am grateful to have found a wonderful man. My life is truly blessed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, and I am glad to hear you’re happily remarried, Linda!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, me too!
LikeLike
Linda, I am so sorry. I can’t imagine the pain. Your poem is so eloquent and so poignant. For such a sad event in your life, your emotions speak volumes. ❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Dorinda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Linda, I am so sorry for your loss and anguish. You are brave to share it in this poem. The change of voice is very effective, as are the lines ‘And so you left this world clothed in a suit of self hate’ and ‘…we are left to grieve forever in winter’s pouring rain’.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you kindly Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is not easy to write like this. This was as honest and open as I have seen in a while and you expressed the emotion in a wonderful and healthy way. I cannot fathom the feelings that result form a tragedy like this, I would never be the same. Great writing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much. I appreciate your thoughts.
LikeLike
Suicide is a wrenching mystery. The end has no ending. (K)
LikeLiked by 2 people
How true. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, the ache of the one being left behind is so well expressed here — such an emotional write, in how it binds the incidence with its aftermath of anger and sorrow. This is a powerful verse. Thanks for participating, Linda!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your kind words HA. Much appreciated.
LikeLike
Poignant and profound. A painful look back at a tragedy that must have affected you so deeply.
xoxoxo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes; it was a pivotal life changing moment. Thank you Drew.
LikeLiked by 1 person