Anguish Recognized

Poetry by Robert Pegel

Nick Cave and I know each other’s pain.  Although we don’t know each other. Our sons died tragically as teenagers.  His at 15 mine at 16.  The Red Hand Files was a magnificent idea.  Give sage advice and in return draw strength from the community’s spirit. Be of service and be useful.  Self-destruction is pointless when dealing with tragedy.  Healing begins with creating.  Soon the children will be rising.  This is not for our eyes.  Copenhagen concert video with Else Torp.  Best version ever of Distant Sky. A song of true spiritual awakening.  Our teen sons are together now, Arthur and Calvin.  In heaven.  I don’t know why they couldn’t stay longer.  In this world.  Born in the same year 2000 and of the same spirit.  Only can imagine they became fast friends on the other side.  And now Nick’s music speaks to me.  Skeleton Tree and Ghosteen.  One day our sons will take Nick and me to the best spots in heaven on adventures.  Until then music will be the best source of solace.  A hopeful rescue out of the lost desert of despair.

BIO: Robert Pegel holds a  BA in English from Columbia and is a Best of the Net nominee. Robert writes about the fragility of life and the search for transformation. He has been published in North Dakota Quarterly, MockingHeart Review, Backchannels, Door is a Jar, Remington Review, The Hooghly Review, Fahmidan Journal, and others.