throat

The Permanent Unavoidable

It’s there all the time and won’t go away
A permanent reality now
Unavoidable
Unmistakable
Unshakeable
Sometimes
I almost don’t notice it
Then the news will report a death
Or a song will excite a memory
Or Story Corps
Or the MOTH Hour
Or a TED talk
Will share a tale of
Sorrow
Happiness
Bravery
Compassion
Gratitude
Faithfulness
Loss
Gain
A story
To tug
At heartstrings
To prick
At conscience
To tear
At soul
Or my children
Will write a note
Make a call
Share a picture
And then I notice it
There it is
That
Lump in my throat
All the time
And it won’t go away

– C. Eric Funston
9 September 2016