KeeeRak, KeeeRak. Two snaps
open the black garbage bag.
“Anyone want this? No?”
Thhhlunk.
The business of after-death.
Photo Credit: Stand Up Guys
Written in response to Fred’s prompt for Saturday at dVerse Poetics dealing with short verse and linked to dVerse OLN. Hope to see many of you there! Brian and Claudia’s talent in incorporating onomatopoeia is exceptional and pushed me to see what I could do with it.
Hope you will join us and while you’re there check out this Monday’s Bullfight and Pretzels, an interview with Fred by Laurie Kolp.
Wow! WordPress informs me that this is my 700th post!!
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
Yikes – this is so true and so matter-of-fact, which makes it all the more powerful. Thanks. My mom is similar, though not rapidly declining, thank goodness, but a child of the depression, with all that entails. k.
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This says so much with so few words, Victoria.
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KeeeRak…ha cool…love using onomatopoeia (weird word as it is..ha) cause i think it adds another dimension as well… the business of after-death…ugh…not easy to being reminded of the person who died with every part of the household you take in your hand..
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Wow 700th, congratulations! It’s amazing how much people acquire in their lifetime. Some families seem to be all about the stuff and money, like the death of a loved one is early Christmas. My uncle sued my grandmother before she died to try to get what he felt he was entitled to, in the end it simply broke her heart.
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Sadly true…hate the clean out of a gone life. you wrote it’s odd truth in a way that touched it’s morbid reality.
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…a very telling piece Victoria…quite of a strong mood you created in such a short verse….you once said to me ‘such tight writing that evokes such emotion is a sign of superior poetry’ — well now i’m offering this back to you…. for yours was truly belonged to what we know of having superior quality… and yes — that’s def you… excellent…. and one of my favorites to date…. congratz on reaching your 700th post… what a huge achievement… keep it up… smiles…
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Clearing up after death is so not easy..congrats on the 700th.
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Nice poem, and congratulations on your 700 post milestone! That takes a lot of thought and commitment!
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Wow 700 posts 🙂 a poem saying much in few words
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I love your sound.
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I love quotidian poetry. There is not enough of it. Behind the facade looms serious issues – possessions that represents a person’s life. Do we put a match to it along with the departed.. or hang on to a few keepsakes to remind us…I think many poems can be written about this and they are all sad ones. In the good will shops I see beautiful hand made embroideries and inscriptions in books that bring tears to my eyes. It’s OK I am a hopelessly emotional person. See how a few well chosen words can ignite an inferno, Victoria:)
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A sad reality conveyed quite matter of factly… tight write! Congrats on 700th post.
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I know this too well. Congrats on post 700. That’s awesome.
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I like your onomatopoeia very much. And your brevity. 🙂
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Hi Victoria! Just saw your comment on my blog. Yes, I think we are somewhat of the same ‘vintage,’ but I hope to avoid River Styx for some time yet…LOL.
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Smiles. And a fine vintage it was!
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I missed this being your 700th post ! Congratulations ! ☺♥
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Well written, Victoria; and so true of the way things are after a person dies. I experienced this when my mother died (many years ago), had to help disperse or sell everything in the family home. Not easy. Congratulations on your 700th post!
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Nice! 700.
Good onomatopoeic capture! The junk that remains after death shows us is how disturbingly simple things are. It would be so cool to get rid of it all before we die to spare people the ritual discovery. Or, I almost wish that on dying, we would spontaneously combusted along all our stuff with us — leaving friends, families (or the state, in sad situation) with only some simple sweeping. Think how much land could be reclaimed from those clamoring after forever in graveyards.
Hey, Victoria, has anyone ever done an interview of you and posted it?
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Yes, Sabio. It’s been a while though. Jamie Dedes has and a few other. I believe links are on my webpage: victoriacslotto.com
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This is a bittersweet situation – your poem is funny but the reality behind it is very sad. We do our best to whittle down the possessions, but they don’t seem to get any less. The piano went on Friday, but there are hoards of sheet music all over the place. I can’t throw away my musical history just like that.
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There is sadness to this, despite all the snaps and thunks.
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ha i love your sounds….distinct and familiar….the business after death…ack…i know that one all too well…the cleaning out of a life lived…have done that for a few family members along the way….
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The cleaning up is not fun.
Wonderful fun poem …
Check my site for a challenge. Hope it encourages you to introduce us to your new book, Victoria.
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It is always sad to clean out after death.
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That is quite the photo of accumulated belongings. I hope it is an old photo and not some time recently for you. My condolences if it is new and fresh, …even if it’s not.
Peace,
Siggi
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The photo is from Google Images and the situation is devised from my many experiences with death and dying in hospice and long term care. But I’m very aware of it as my mother declines rapidly right now. I visited her over the weekend and let’s just say, she was a daughter of the depression and doesn’t get rid of anything. It’s a huge challenge looming in my future. Thanks for your concern, Siggi
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700th! Congratulations Victoria!!!! 😀
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