An Ocular Deception

Gold cherry

By Ewan

Sat, 27 Dec 2025
  • 348 reads
4 comments
 

A trick of the mourning light:

a slight figure's determined gait,

seen at a distance far enough

to reach the other side. 

 

I see them, my parents,

glimpsed mostly at that distance

which deceives enough 

to fool me.

 

I see them, my parents,

catch sight of them 

in shop windows

or any polished surface.

 

An ocular deception:

a wishful thought's unwanted glimpse

at a distance too close

to comfort us at all. 

Certificate U
Poem
Gathered Flowers
Miscellaneous

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

But brings their reality back to mind? Clever first line. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

A moving reminder that this time of year is as much about remembering those no longer with us as it is about celebrating with family and friends.

This is today's Facebook, X/Twitter and Bluesky Pick of the Day.

Congratulations, Ewan. 

 

 

Submitted by jennifer on

That moment in Harry Potter when he sees them in the mirror... I remember being reduced to tears by the scene in a packed film theatre. But it hit so much more after I lost my own dad. I see echoes of him everywhere. Like little clues. I like to think he leaves me signs. I like to think they walk with us. Or at least check in from time to time.

J x 

 

Submitted by TJW on

Not the same thing, just what this made me remember:  when one of my rainbow boas died I went for a drive and saw a rainbow.  Mourning light, that's a Nabokovian use of language.

V/R