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09-21-2020, 04:17 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Florida, USA
Posts: 3,372
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Poem on Autumn Sky and Life-shaking Event
A villanelle I wrote and submitted in one evening while in the hospital with my husband who had near-respiratory failure and had been just moved from the ICU, has been published on the wonderful site Autumn Sky Poetry Daily, where Susan McLean and Martin Elster recently published fantastic poems. A few days later, namely yesterday (Sunday) morning, he had a cardiac arrest. After 11 minutes, he got a pulse and is now on life support. Of course, I cannot describe the state I am in. I actually forgot about that poem until my son said about his father “he had to reset.” That’s the last line of the poem and I realized that the poem was describing what actually happened. When I went to be with him in the ICU, I found him hooked up to something like 11 IV’s, literally a “torrent of needles.” Indeed he was literally taken from the jaws of death and for that I am grateful. It’s still up in the air; much praying here. They intubated him in two minutes and I was sitting right next to him; just before that he seemed to be sleeping comfortably and the nurse said he looks better today. It only took a missed heartbeat and all hell broke loose. But now there is at least hope, and this poem is in some weird way a part of that.
I only share this because Eratosphere has given so much to me and I haven’t been here much of late due to more hospital visits than I care to mention. Thanks to all of you for such a transformative site.
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09-21-2020, 06:23 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Iowa City, IA, USA
Posts: 10,090
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What a devastating background to a poem! I could tell from reading the poem that something critical had occurred, though I was not sure what. I hope your husband will recover well, Siham, but this must be a terrible time for you. At times like this, know that we are on your side and hoping you will get through it. Poetry can help deal with trauma, but it doesn't change the fact that it is traumatic.
Susan
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09-21-2020, 08:50 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Halcott, New York
Posts: 9,869
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The only course is to lean into it, Siham.
But I know you already do that.
Much strength and much love,
Nemo
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09-22-2020, 03:54 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,664
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Oh, my Arrow -- how traumatic, how prophetic. I can feel your shock and exhaustion coming off the screen, and out of the poem. I love how you got an arrow into the final line! That final line is amazing -- the effect of the look of it . . .
All the power of the heart to you, my dearest Arrow!
Cally
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09-22-2020, 10:11 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Florida, USA
Posts: 3,372
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Thank you so much Susan, Nemo, and Calligraphy. Your words mean more than I can say. My husband Kassem passed this morning at dawn surrounded by his family in the hospital. God have mercy on us all.
With love,
Siham
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09-22-2020, 10:57 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Iowa City, IA, USA
Posts: 10,090
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This is very sad news, Siham. You and your family have my sincere sympathy. Losing someone is very hard, and the suddenness of the loss makes it harder to deal with. I wish you well.
Susan
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09-22-2020, 12:17 PM
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Join Date: May 2016
Location: Staffordshire, England
Posts: 4,420
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My sincere condolences, Siham. Sending love and strength to you and your family.
Mark
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09-22-2020, 01:38 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Posts: 9,655
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I'm so sorry, Siham. You and your family are in my prayers.
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09-24-2020, 08:11 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: usa
Posts: 7,645
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Congrats on your publication, Arrow. I had a feeling when I read your first post here that your husband had taken a turn for the worse. Stay strong, take care.
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09-24-2020, 11:54 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 6,238
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I'm so sorry. Congratulations on your publication.
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