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Crossing Over

He awoke to the sound of pouring rain, the wind whistling around the windmill tower, the aroma of homemade toasted bread and coffee brewing on the paraffin stove… In a daze, eyelids heavy, he heard distant voices. “He breathes like a sparrow. The time is near.” A tear fell on his frail hand. In the shadows the ferryman patiently waited… - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A BRIAN STRAND 1097 Poetry Contest

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Valsa George

Date: 12/31/2021 2:38:00 AM

In the ripe time a ferry man will come to take us on a long pilgrimage. Eternity is our destination. A very poignant write Paul ! Wish you a blessed New Year!

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 12/23/2021 7:02:00 AM

A "Wonderful" yet sad write. Death comes to all. Heaven is better than this place. I hope you are OK. Have a Blessed Christmas and 2022.......................

Paul Callus
Date: 12/29/2021 2:22:00 PM

Thank you for your feedback, Paula. Death is unavoidable! I hope you had a merry/blessed Christmas. I wish you a happy, peaceful and healthy New Year, my friend // paul

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 11/20/2021 9:37:00 PM

Hello Paul ... the wait seems to go on forever for the inevitable. A sad poem that reflects on many families - thank you Paul - Lindsay

Paul Callus
Date: 11/23/2021 11:26:00 AM

Thank you for your contribution to this topic, Lindsay. I hope you are keeping well and safe. Best regards // paul

Judy Ball

Date: 11/15/2021 8:01:00 AM

WoW! This is really well done. What imagery! I could see the frail man waking in his bed surrounded by his loved ones. He realizes slowly that it is his tie and the Angel of Death takes his hand. Beautiful. Loved it. God Bless, JB

Paul Callus
Date: 11/16/2021 11:22:00 AM

I am pleased that you enjoyed this poem of mine, Judy...thank you. Regards & Blessings // paul

Jack Horne

Date: 11/14/2021 7:03:00 AM

oh, really love this, Paul - i wasn't expecting that! I hope you're well

Paul Callus
Date: 11/14/2021 9:30:00 AM

So pleased to have you visiting, my friend...thank you. Hope you're keeping well. Regards // paul

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 11/12/2021 7:33:00 AM

An awesome, sad write my friend, the grim reaper awaited his arrival, the inevitable awaits us all Paul, sooner or later. The grim reaper's job, whose origin comes from the Greek word Thanatos - Death and Hypnos - Sleep, is to deliver the soul to the ferryman, the crossing over. Great poem Paul. hope you are well, would love to hear from you sometime. Hugs blessings, Jennifer.

Paul Callus
Date: 11/13/2021 12:22:00 PM

Thank you for the lovely, insightful and informative comments, Jenny. Incidentally over here in Malta they sell Hypnos mattresses...makes a lot of sense considering the word itself means 'sleep' :) ~ Warm regards & Hugs my friend // paul

Susan Lawrence

Date: 11/9/2021 9:38:00 AM

Paul, Such a poignant scene so well penned. I have a visceral response of this moment in time you have portrayed so well . Hugs to you and hoping you are well , Susan :)

Paul Callus
Date: 11/13/2021 12:24:00 PM

Thank you for your lovely Susan. A pleasure to have you stopping by. Regards & Hugs // paul

Lisa Ricci

Date: 11/9/2021 7:54:00 AM

Good Morning Paul - Your words are clear and vivid of this moment and time that we will all face one day. The entry's tone and voice match the scene and moment. Thank you for sharing. Enjoy the day and poetrysoup too.

Paul Callus
Date: 11/13/2021 12:26:00 PM

Good evening, Lisa. Your feedback is delightful and much appreciated. Hope you're having a lovely weekend. Warm regards // paul

Delice Arleen Skelly

Date: 11/9/2021 5:19:00 AM

Yes indeed Paul, the Ferryman is waiting for us. I like this piece, fascinating Greek mythology. Well done....Delice

Paul Callus
Date: 11/13/2021 12:27:00 PM

So pleased that you enjoyed it, Delice. Thank you. Best regards // paul

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 11/8/2021 4:11:00 PM

Hello PaulCallus, this poem is very sad. Regards Darlene

Paul Callus
Date: 11/13/2021 12:29:00 PM

Indeed it is, Darlene, and although it leads to the beginning of a new life, parting with our loved ones is still sad. ~ Best regards // paul

Heidi Sands

Date: 11/8/2021 2:14:00 PM

Very well written Paul. I can feel it. I hope you have a nice evening :)

Paul Callus
Date: 11/13/2021 12:30:00 PM

Thank you for reading, liking and commenting, Heidi. I hope you too have a lovely evening :) Regards // paul

Judy Ball

Date: 11/8/2021 10:10:00 AM

Beautiful Paul. A very insightful look into the last moments of a life. Here is hoping that it was a life not wasted. Good stuff. God Bless, JB

Paul Callus
Date: 11/13/2021 12:33:00 PM

Thank you, Judy. I too hope that we don't waste this short life of ours! After all it's a stepping stone to a better life. Regards & Blessings // paul

Vijay Pandit

Date: 11/8/2021 8:36:00 AM

So much emotion evoked in so few words, Paul. I like the way convey the poignant message--it tugs and feels as real as death approaching.

Paul Callus
Date: 11/13/2021 1:08:00 PM

Thank you, Vijay. I've seen a few people die, and each memory is still clear in my mind. ~ Regards // paul

Tom Cunningham

Date: 11/8/2021 8:34:00 AM

Quite a sombre scene Paul, Charon Awaits us all. Hope you're keeping well. Tom

Paul Callus
Date: 11/13/2021 12:57:00 PM

Thank you, Tom. Not a scene to dwell on too much, but it's an inevitable one. Best regards, my friend. // paul

Phyllis Babcock

Date: 11/8/2021 8:30:00 AM

A sad poem which got me teary this morning while reading it and drinking my coffee. Have a nice week Paul. love phyl

Paul Callus
Date: 11/13/2021 12:55:00 PM

Thank you for reading and commenting Phyllis. Such topics tend to be emotional, and I don't blame you for getting teary eyed, especially when we remember the loss of loved ones. ~ Have a lovely weekend, my friend. // paul

Laura Leiser

Date: 11/8/2021 8:30:00 AM

Your words paint a powerful, yet poignant picture, Paul. The ferryman awaits and ushers is away at the appointed time. May it be to heaven!

Paul Callus
Date: 11/13/2021 12:35:00 PM

It is a pleasure to have you visiting, Laura. Thank you for the feedback...our paths have not crossed much lately. Hope you're keeping well. ~ Regards // paul

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 11/8/2021 8:24:00 AM

A wonderful way to cross over to the other side. For my mom, that tear never fell, but bubbled in the corner of her comatose eye but then I knew she knew we were there and she was leaving us…I felt reassured, for who could feel more emotion in the end if your body is dead, except that you are living in “new life.” Two deaths in the last six months. My sweet nephew died a week ago.

Paul Callus
Date: 11/13/2021 12:44:00 PM

Thank you for sharing your own personal experiences, Kim. I was by my father's bedside when he passed away...peacefully; my mum died in her sleep. Gone, but never forgotten. ~ Warm regards / paul