People Ask

People asked me if we were close,
or offered the usual condolences in such matters.

I tell them I wanted better for us,
but I felt almost nothing.

A kind of dark mercy
leaving no shelter for grief.

— Michael Anthony, Sep 16, 2025

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I appreciate moderate constructive criticism

Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft

Region, Country: San Francisco Bay Area - USA, USA

Favorite Poets: Bukowski, Billy Collins, Ted Kooser, Haiku & Harvey Kurtzman (a visual poet, of sorts)

8 months 3 weeks ago

If you're talking about a supposed to be a close relation.

The closing lines sum up the whole thing quite well.

Thank you for sharing!

8 months 2 weeks ago

This is an admittedly melancholy piece about a parent, Rula. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about this!

8 months 3 weeks ago

I learned that my ex-wife died. Yes, sums it up very well. ~ Geez.

8 months 2 weeks ago