Saturday, May 16, 2026

ASLEEP LOOKING by Duane L. Herrmann

 

Ngân Dương


ASLEEP LOOKING

My father lying there   

asleep, it appeared  

he would arise a moment   

say, “How are you?”   

then go about his day.

For sixteen years, it had been so,   

but this day I did know   

would never be the same,   

no more hugs or smiles,   

or kind words.

I knew.

My world would change   

in ways I could not know   

with repercussions far,   

far beyond his leaving.

This would be the last   

I would see.

Could I hug him?

I did not know   

if I could touch.

In some ways, I’m relieved   

not to know   

the touch of cold skin,   

hardened body   

of the man I didn’t know   

I loved so much    and buried him the next day.

© Duane L. Herrmann


Duane L. Herrmann

With degrees in Education and History, Duane L. Herrmann has work published in print and online, in fifty-plus anthologies, over one hundred other publications (Gonzo Press, Tiny Seed Literary JournalPage and Spine, etc), plus a sci fi novel, eight collections of poetry, a local history, stories for children, a book on fasting and other works, despite an abusive childhood with dyslexia, ADHD, cyclothymia, an anxiety disorder, a form of Mutism, and now, PTSD.  


Follow Feed the Holy


No comments:

Post a Comment

Please be supportive and kind in your comments.

Featured Post

ASLEEP LOOKING by Duane L. Herrmann

  Ngân Dương ASLEEP LOOKING My father lying there    asleep, it appeared   he would arise a moment    say, “How are you?”    then go about ...