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Sep 09, 2025
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Legacy and love
Nikko met me over Sunday football,
we cheered the Bills on.
Halftime came
and with his trust in me
he explains–
his father's war with cancer,
how he is chained to oxygen–
supported, yet, imprisoned
it seemed
The family flew to Greece–
where they're from and revisit
Papa climbed the lighthouse stairs
step
after
slow step
seeping small breaths
toward his memory
into the sky
to meet with his god
At the top
Nikko watched him lookout over the sea,
where he swam as a boy
…where once the salt was on his skin
are now in his eyes
Still stubborn,
smiles and explains how he's not done, yet
They ordered two chickens
for family of 80
a feast for first blood
and third generation
The evening celebrated family
as dancing was laced with laughter and grief,
discourse visited memories and gifts of love
Nine days in the hospital
no hour was spent alone
love stayed,
with no soft bed or showers–
Nikko by his side
His father, now 90 pounds
once carried war in his eyes
but family in his breath and bones,
still says not yet
I have one last word:
“If family fights
always make up…
always love one another”
The room fell motionless
but love always stayed
About This Poem
Style/Type: Free verse
Review Request Direction:
What did you think of my title?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?
Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft
Comments
Ray Miller
2 weeks 6 days ago
Enjoyed the read. They…
Enjoyed the read.
They ordered two chickens
for family of 80
a feast for first blood
I'm a vegan myself, but I'd imagine 2 chickens don't provide much of a feast for 80 people.
and third generation
The evening celebrated family
Not sure what you mean there. The evening was a celebration of family?
as dancing was laced with laughter and grief,
discourse visited memories and gifts of love
Geezer
2 weeks 6 days ago
I've been there...
Three years ago, while our mother lay on her deathbed in the nursing home, there were third-generation family coming to see her and there was an air of congeniality in the room; people who not directly connecting with her and voices softly buzzing with memories of life and her presence in our lives. I was sitting on the bed next to her, and a picture was taken of us. I was later chastised by some for laughing as I sat on the bed of a dying woman. What they didn't know; there was a very loud woman who my mother didn't care for much, [my mother didn't like her brash and coarse manner with everyone] walking by in the hall, [loud and brassy as per usual]. My mother whispered to me, "I'm going to get there first, [meaning Heaven, I suppose] and I'm not going to let her in."She chuckled and I was caught laughing. I will treasure that memory along with many others. Yes, it is possible to have laughter along with grief. Thank you for sharing with us. I really liked the lines:
The evening celebrated family
as dancing was laced with laughter and grief,
discourse visited memories and gifts of love.
There was no dancing, but plenty of love and memories.
~ Geezer
Thomas Janes
2 weeks 5 days ago
I'm a bit confused by how…
I'm a bit confused by how responses are on this platform, so I t hope this acts as one to your piece.
I'm not even so much as a family member to this man. Knew him for 3 hours. Though, i have his business card. Why he opened up to me this much, I don't question.
You pointing out how grief and laughter can co-exist. This in itself poetic...but very human. Though, conflicting for so many.