Forever the Last Time, the second book of poetry by Jim Slominski, chronicles the lives affected by the illness of the poet’s oldest child, Jake. At the time of writing the child is 11 years old, and is not expected to live beyond the age of 20. With a depth of feeling that is awe-inspiring, and using an unabashedly rural setting, Slominski writes of family and work, centering his poems in and around the home. The stress that the shadow of the child’s impending death puts on the family is devastating, an effect which the author imparts to the reader in totally believable, personal lyrics. Yet, the every-day life of the family goes forward, and the poet celebrates both the grief and joy in each day, in spite of the knowledge that the last time is forever hovering.
A long hard day
Arms paddle the air for balance
as though he’s swimming.
Tries his best, his very hardest, moves his absolute fastest.
Still we have to wait for him.
Straddles the stairs to climb, leans full weight on the handrail,
two hands to pull up to each step. I follow ready to catch his fall.
Can’t sit still. Squirms, fidgets.
Muscles too weak to hold his body like an arrow.
Knocks stuff off tables, drops books, spills drinks,
as he moves in big chunks around the room.
And falls into our arms when day is done.
So much work to stay alive.
Releases himself to sleep, his favourite time.
When gravity asks nothing more of him.
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