GRIEF Poetry Reading: Echoes of Margaret, by Mary Therese Hattori

Performed by Val Cole

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From writer: This is an echo verse poem in response to my identical twin’s death (drowning). Identical in virtually every way as children, we grew to look different as adults, but our voices remained identical. We were echoes of each other.

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POEM:

Shattered is my grieving heart
Poetry. My healing art

“She’s missing at sea.” News in a morning call
Followed by hours of prayer. Dread overtook all.
“She died. Caught in a rip current.”

In a moment, my soul was rent
Words I don’t wish to hear

Surely the gods or merciless fates trick my ear
I refused to believe. Shouted, “They must be mistaken!”

Sadly. Cruelly. It’s true, from us she’s been taken
No, you can’t be gone! With the living you belong

Noooooo, Noooooo,Noooooo!!! My wails tortured. Long
Death riven us apart

Poetry. My healing art
In deep distress, I sheared my long, black hair

Small sacrifice, my twin, the sea’s robbed you of air
In the coffin, you lay, so still, so cold

Young. Nevermore to age, as I alone grow old
Sorrow then stormed in. Clouded my brain

The funeral marked by torrents of rain
Waves of mourners pass by. I too feel sea-swept.

Ride beside you in the hearse as the heavens wept
Weeks later at your interment, I feel you in the breeze

Heard echoes of you say, “Be still, I’m at ease.”
Be still, I am at ease.

Heavy is my grieving heart
Poetry my healing art