Sunday Ache

There is something about Sundays

Sundays always smelled sharper.
Tasted harsh.
Even the sunlight cut deeper.
It sounded like a dark Wagner symphony.
I’ve felt it since I was five�"
lonely in the quiet.

Maybe it was school tomorrow.
God, maybe it was school tomorrow.
Or maybe it’s the truth:
Life keeps rolling
while people vanish.

Yesterday his mother handed out
vials of ashes.
He drank one too many,
another fire snuffed out.

The sidewalks glare bright.
Sunshine in January�"
a liar,
faking warmth,
mocking the chill in my chest.

Puffy white clouds
sharpen the loneliness
like a fillet knife.

I think of her�"
my daughter, far away,
the laughter I can’t hear,
the arms I can’t hold.

I sip coffee, bitter
as this empty room.
Lonely as this,
quiet Sunday morning.

Reviews

[BuzzyB]

Thomas, there's certainly something about Sundays, lately. This poem holds much pain on what should be joyful, sunny days. People just leave and then we dread Sundays. You've written very beautifully here. I held my breath and read the poem again and again, each read bringing on more emotion.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

[BuzzyB]

You're welcome. Thank so for the amazing poetry.

[ETERNITY]

You pull the hidden emotions out, some of them not willing to expose their soft underbellies.
The reader feels your regret and regrets with you.
The bitter coffee seems a just dessert for the bitterness all around.
The loneliness.
Beautiful sadness.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[ETERNITY]

I know the poem was about your girl. the reminder that school might be tomorrow. She is in your veins and in your pen. Lovely. You're a great dad.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[John the Baptist]

There may be something less than pleasant about Sundays, and it could indeed stem from the awareness that the next day meant school, or later, work. The other possibilities noted may be relevant only to the speaker. I suspect the last two verses in their reference to the absent daughter tell a lot about the story. Loneliness is a b***h.
PS: In the last verse you might consider dropping the comma after "this."

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you. I appreciate it John.

[Desert Knave]

I think for me it is always Sundays because using "G-d" as a way to make a kid feel guilty was practiced all the more, well, and as you said, "... maybe it was school tomorrow.". Nice write. ~Jim

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[Soren]

This instantly reminded me of Kris Kristopherson's Sunday Morning coming down. It is earthy and real, it tastes of bitter coffee and rawness of life in isolation. Lovely Thomas

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, my friend.

[Soren]

You are most welcome Thomas

[red93]

Yes Sundays are a strange day in the UK, and it is only relatively recently that Supermarkets were allowed to open. At least there is the Soccer nowadays. I feel the angst in this Piece and empathise. Really Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Thomas W Case]

I appreciate it. Thank you.