Confetti of Magic
We were four souls in a U-Haul
watching snowflakes dance
across the windshield.
watching snowflakes dance
across the windshield.
Change doesn’t often provide confetti,
but on that winter night my husband,
two small daughters, and myself
were given the gift of magic
that glittered us into a bond that
could never be broken.
With goodbye still stinging our lips
we felt like the only ones the moon
had forgotten as the truck’s headlights
struggled to give us eyes in the blizzard.
Out of the crackle of the dashboard radio
words sang, “You have to believe we are magic
nothin' can stand in our way”.
In that moment Oliva Newton John
gave us our hope song, our love song,
our family song, our forever song.
On an icy Missouri road mapped
with a journey to Texas “Magic”
told us it would keep us whole
even when grief would leave us broken.
©Susie Clevenger 2024
Cynthia Dawn took her last breath to the song "Magic"
on January 26th, 2022...the magic continues
Susie, your poem is magical. The entire story is just so beautiful. That song that became your forever song is so moving. And I cried when I read your note about Dawn taking her last breath to that song, her family surrounding her. Your family shares an unbreakable, incomparable love like no other I have seen. Thank you for this poem. And your brave mother-warrior heart.
ReplyDeleteI feel so blessed to have had the honor of meeting you my dear friend! I remember hearing you share this story at the celebration of life, and it was beautiful then and it is beautiful here! With all the heartache you all have faced, there is still this magicalness (not a word but I think it fits) that you all share with each other but also you share it with the world too! Thank you for that Susie!
ReplyDeleteEven when heart breaks those once lived magical moments sustain us; give us power of forbearance and make us stronger to live and bless. This poem is absolutely magical. So nice to see you.
ReplyDeleteThis is just beautiful, Susie! You and your family have faced many obstacles with strength and love, but you still keep the magic alive!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly have captured the magic of togetherness and bonding in your poem...that the magic endures beyond loss is incredibly beautiful and moving. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteSusie,
ReplyDeleteI recognised much in your poem, that could have applied to times I have also experienced.
Travelling in certain weathers to visit ailing relatives. The return home journeys, after those same sad goodbyes.
Music has a magical way of always connecting times, places and events.
This reminds me of October travels back to Northern Ireland, when my dear mum passed away...
Thank you for sharing your poem 💐
Musical magic, connections, taking us back and forward in our journeys: you say so much in these few words, Susie, speaking hope and light and "Magic" into the storm and into the night. The metaphor of the blizzard blinding our sight works so well as we struggle to see our way forward in spite of the odds, the strangeness of the terrain that's grief and pain. You also give your fellow travelers much to be grateful for, emboldened by, in spite of our griefs.
ReplyDelete