Biding Time

[David Nelson Bradsher]

Biding Time

The kettle cried a hollow warning.
For a brief moment he forgot
the numbing blend of dawn and mourning,
and rose to move the pot.

The cat was crying for her food.
He moved again to fill her bowl,
uttering words his wife had cooed
to calm her—Bless your soul.

The phone was ringing, high and shrill
as if a trilling of dissention.
He answered. Just another bill
requiring his attention.

The tea was made, the cat was fed;
another lonesome afternoon
alive and bored. His wife was dead.
He hoped to join her soon.

[mfwilkie]

D,

How about:

He faced another afternoon
alone and bored without his wife.

And redo the last two lines

I think the reader gets his wife has passed.

Mags

[antman]

Near to tear for the emotion this evokes,
I agree with Mags, here's an offering,

The tea was made, the cat was fed;
another lonesome afternoon
alive and bored. His spirit then said;
I hope to join her soon.

peace and love,
anthony

[Jonathan Morey Weiss-Namaste47]

Nice work, David. I like the last quatrain as it stands....I like the contrast of "alive" and "dead." Fine enjambment.