Donna Freeman
Donna Freeman started writing poetry at age twelve.
Her work has appeared in the Wilderness House Literary Review, the Blue Lake Review and Ocean State Poet’s Anthology: “Giving Voice” as well as the Rhode Island Public Radio’s "Virtual Gallery 2020".
“Texas Poetry Assignment”, selected Donna’s poem to post on their site.
She taught elementary school for many years. Donna then became a clinical social worker and worked as a therapist in a variety of R.I. settings. Now in retirement, she continues to be a member of several poetry groups.
Her hobbies include: animal rescue and improvisation theater, but poetry remains her true passion.
Her work has appeared in the Wilderness House Literary Review, the Blue Lake Review and Ocean State Poet’s Anthology: “Giving Voice” as well as the Rhode Island Public Radio’s "Virtual Gallery 2020".
“Texas Poetry Assignment”, selected Donna’s poem to post on their site.
She taught elementary school for many years. Donna then became a clinical social worker and worked as a therapist in a variety of R.I. settings. Now in retirement, she continues to be a member of several poetry groups.
Her hobbies include: animal rescue and improvisation theater, but poetry remains her true passion.
If I Had Known
If I had known this was the last time
you would say my name
I would have kept that sound from your lips
pressed inside my mind
and played its music back
as a lullaby
to soothe my pain
where I stand in the darkness
when you are gone.
If I had known this was the last time
you could say my name,
I would have put my lips to your face
and mouthed the letters against your cheek
sharing what you once gave as mine.
If I had known this was the last time
the moment would have been stilled
and time would have stopped for you and for me
and memory would hold
what is now only a shadow
in the dusk of our day.
If I had known
but I did not.
You could have told me
but you would not.
If I had known this was the last time
you would say my name
I would have kept that sound from your lips
pressed inside my mind
and played its music back
as a lullaby
to soothe my pain
where I stand in the darkness
when you are gone.
If I had known this was the last time
you could say my name,
I would have put my lips to your face
and mouthed the letters against your cheek
sharing what you once gave as mine.
If I had known this was the last time
the moment would have been stilled
and time would have stopped for you and for me
and memory would hold
what is now only a shadow
in the dusk of our day.
If I had known
but I did not.
You could have told me
but you would not.