THEREAFTER

postmortem.....

THEREAFTER

 

I sit, alone, with my baby who shall assuredly know that his father passed away

I could never explain the truth to him

The lie that I shall bear to my grave

This is quite unsettling, yet I own it

 

Hours later, my head pops up

Oh dear, I must have been sleeping

T’s 5 O’clock in the evening

At once I forget where I am and what transpired

Then that darkness and pain shroud me once more

Timidly, I creep to the front door

A taxi awaits me outside

 

The ride is solemn, though the driver tries to

Cajole me

He must note my sour face

And attempts to elevate my spirits

With some pleasant conversation

I exchange with a timid voice

He queries if I am a tourist or a local

Well, with my American accent I am surely not a local

I reveal that I just lost my husband and I am grieving

He pulls the taxi to the curb, turn his head to view

My stained face

Then apologizes profusely

And attempts to console me with his words

I am astonished that this kind soul would take the time

To spend even a minute with my dis-spirited mood

We leave the curbside and he continues his way

All the while to hold up the little energy there is in my core

As we approach the hotel, I grasp my wallet to pay him

And he insists that the ride is free

In addition, he hands me his card

And begs me to reach out to him for a ride again

Then reveals that his wife died two years ago

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading!

Reviews

[Relic]

Wow! The end caught me by surprise. It takes a broken heart to recognize a broken heart, I guess.
You put this one to life Betty. It makes me wonder how many people in the world are getting a cab ride in the same or similar situation. I hope it's not autobiographical.

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi there, no, it’s not autobiographical….just made up,pure fiction
thank yo for you fine revie
Warmly, B🌷🌷🌷🌷

[RomaJ]

This piece strikes me as quietly heartbreaking but also profoundly human. The interplay between personal grief and the small, unexpected kindness from the taxi driver creates a poignant tension-- sorrow tempered by empathy.

I love how the narrative lingers on the sensory and emotional details: the disorientation, the timid voice, the driver’s gestures -- it makes the grief tangible while reminding us that connection, even brief, can carry immense weight.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Romaj For such an astute review with real understanding of the scene....much appreciated!!!
Warmly, B

[Vol]

Ah, Betty!
Death is such a sharp lemon... and I could draw that analogy for pages! Fortunately, from your poem, I think you are well acquainted... Those times make every little thing sour and all we can do is wince... Beautifully written.
Vol

[Betty Hermelee]

thank you Vol for your thoughtful and praising review ; i appreciate your words….
warmlyread morethank you Vol for your thoughtful and praising review ; i appreciate your words….
warmly
B🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

[Kady R.]

Hiii Betty,

Such a heartbreaking poem. Death cannot be easy to experience let alone explain. I thought it was heartwarming how the taxi driver also could understand the protagonist in this poem.

Wonderfully written Betty. I enjoyed reading this 🤗🤗🤗🥰🥰🥰

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi Kady, a wonderful review and much appreciated!
warmly, B🌷🌷🌷🌷

[Kady R.]

Anytimeee Betty🤗🤗🤗🥰🥰🥰

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Tim is so spot on. A broken heart recognizes another broken heart and they gel together...giving each other solace. A moving piece, Betty.
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much J...the new book is moving along!! I'm always re-assured by your words...
Warmly, B

[petec3638]

Some taxi drivers like a chat with their fare
They do pick up their mood
He felt that you were low
Once He knew the reason
He could sympathize with you

[Betty Hermelee]

Exactly... and thank you for your review, much appreciated...
Warmly, B

[John the Baptist]

The story continues. The young lady is now a widow with a child, still dealing with the aftereffects of her loss. She catches a cab whose driver is a garrulous sort who tries to engage her in conversation. Finding that she is grieving, he pulls over and tries to provide comfort, revealing that he lost a mate in the recent past and letting her ride for free. His kindness lets our heroine know that despite her circumstances, goodness has not departed from the world entirely.

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear John, you're review is spot on and many thanks for it, and always for your support...
Warmly, B

[Brad Dehler]

Interesting quick read here. It was over before I felt entrenched, a sign of your good writing. I like the start with "Yet i own it". There is a mystery of the death and why it would be a secret. Then surprising to have the taxi driver so supportive. Good work, thank you for this.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much Brad, I appreciate your review.
Warmly, B

[carl]

nice read - wanted it to be true - but none the less enjoyable shows what we want the world to be and people to do - reminds me of the song Taxi by Harry Chapin - perhaps his was imagined also - carl

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Carl
Thank you for reading this piece, and your astute comments...
Warmly, B
read moreDear Carl
Thank you for reading this piece, and your astute comments...
Warmly, B

[ETERNITY]

Hi! I try "not" reviewing if I don't recognize the author since I'm not part of the click and I'm kinda not smart on everything. BUT I know death hurts a lot of people, not just the one it kills.
THIS feels subtle and romantic. I hope that doesn't sound shallow. I mean, how likely is that, really?
BUT I know it crosses peoples minds because it has been written.
Also, my grandma met her husband when her mother died. He just happened to wish her sympathy. They didn't even know each other! He had seen the name in the obits and recognized the address as he passed.
ANYHOO, I got chills when I read this! What an impact!

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Dessi
you wrote a wonderful, heartfelt review, and I appreciate it very much...
Warmly, B

[ETERNITY]

Sorry to go off on my own like that.
This lovely poem just reminded me of so much.
And the picture you posted is just beautiful!
Thanks for being so nice.

[Mysilentembrace]

What a beautiful moment of connection when someone see another and understands the weight of death of someone close in such a way others don’t.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you sincerely for a fine review!
Warmly, B😊