Gnashing Teeth Publishing

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A Few Days in September by Juan Manuel Pérez

Juan Manuel Perez Photo

Mother’s Death

Senior Care Of Corpus, Corpus Christi, Texas

Saturday, September 26, 2020

 

one weird Saturday

something seemed way out of place

how could I have known

 

last time I saw mom

a home in Victoria

she’s surgically blind

 

orders were given

not allow me to see her

placed there by siblings

 

saw her anyway

through a good friend working there

that was two years back

 

sisters moved her since

didn’t know it was closer

until death notice

 

a good friend called me

fast spreading hometown newsflash

I was last to know

 

older brother calls

without much on the details

meant to leave me out

 

Mother’s Burial

La Pryor Cemetery, La Pryor, Texas,

11:00 AM, Wednesday, September 30, 2020

 

it’s one hard Wednesday

I have been asking for days

no funeral held

 

fighting the anger

under current quarantine

fearing infection

 

chance of exposure

now keeping me here at home

burial moves on

 

didn’t want me there

regardless of what was wrong

short graveside service

 

what did she die of

they still refuse to tell me

I can only guess

 

it’s taken many

still, it will take even more

there’s no end to it

 

refrigerated

that he could tell me for sure

closed casket only

 

First PTSD Session

VA Virtual, Corpus Christi, Texas

12:00 PM, Wednesday, September 30, 2020

 

this very same day

mother lays six feet under

two firsts in one day

 

talk about feelings

last thing I wanted to do

yet, I still need too

 

I cried and I laughed

a maniac emerging

regrets don’t forget

 

told him everything

all the nightmares and flashbacks

feelings and turmoil

 

deadly airplane crash

all that happened that dark day

smell of burning flesh

 

came to conclusion

suicide was an option

I told him that too

 

desert still haunts me

this is how it calls me back

…it will be okay

Juan Manuel Pérez, a Mexican-American poet of indigenous descent and a Poet Laureate for Corpus Christi, Texas (2019-2020), is the author of several books of poetry including, SCREW THE WALL! AND OTHER BROWN PEOPLE POEMS (FlowerSong Books, 2020). The award-winning poet, history teacher, and Pushcart Nominee, is also a member of the Horror Writers Association, the Science Fiction Poetry Association, and the Military Writers Society of America. Juan worships his Creator and chases chupacabras in the South Texas Coastal Bend Area.

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