Afterwards

Gold cherry

By Makis

Mon, 03 Nov 2025
  • 164 reads
10 comments
 

We wind the clocks of our lives
without ever once knowing the time,
ignoring our ever slowing pulse
with little regard for what is to come.
But what of afterwards?

What remains of us when we slip from view
and hide our shadows from the sun?
Do we watch from the nothingness,
our hands trembling from the forging of memories,
smiling at how it was? 

What happens when the cup is drained
and conversation fades into the silence,
taking with it that which we were?
Do we remember everything said and done
and load it into a grieving emptiness?

Or do we seek out each other again 
in those familiar everyday places
where the most innocent of threads
are woven into the fondest of memories,
settling gently onto smiling lips?

We live forever through what is left behind,
the coat that still hangs in the hall
or the favourite mug on the stand or
rain that beats against the window on snuggled evenings.
These are the places we call afterwards.

                             

Certificate U
Poem
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I enjoyed your pensive poem, it was attentive to your awareness of human realization when life loses that spark and needs to be re kindled...or not.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by Makis on

Thank you Jenny, I was musing over the question of what is left of us when we're gone. Not an easy subject!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Although memories are left behind (hopefully good memories in others' remeberance of us), that that is not really our future is made clear in scripture. As the dying thief was told, 'Today you will be with me in paradise', But the message of the way there needs to be read carefully! and then to prayer.

We can't find truth by our musings! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Makis on

Thank you for your commemnts Rhiannon, your faith is clearly unshakeable.

 

Submitted by Ewan on

 Thoughtful, wistful and delicately expressed: this poem is our Social Media pick of the day. Please could fellow ABC-Talers share it on their social media, if they like it too.

Author Page at the 'Zon
 

Submitted by Makis on

Thank you for the award and your kind comments Ewan. Great encouragement.

 

Submitted by Turlough on

These are good words for stirring the emotions. Having lost several people in recent months it’s your final verse that hits home for me. Memories are precious things that thankfully no one can take away from us.

Turlough

Submitted by Makis on

Thanks Turlough, that's exactly the sentiment I was trying to convey. 

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

Thank you for posting this. It just so happens that tomorrow is the anniversary of my father's death, and and this beautiful poem pretty well sums up my own feelings. We still have them while we have the memories.

Submitted by Makis on

Thank you for your comments airy, it's  comforting to know that the piece struck a  chord with you. As you may have guessed, the poem came out of my own direct experiences.