I Still Sometimes Dream of You
For the Sensational II Challenge
I still sometimes dream of you, young and strong, a man's man, far younger than I am now, and a far cry from the old man we watched slowly waste away.
During those long months when the cancer slipped and snaked through your body your strong voice still soothed those gathered around you as if they, not you were the ones afflicted.
Your sole complaint that your feet hurt. It seemed strange to you that I rubbed them and massaged your toes till the pain subsided, my hands impossibly remembering in the moment how calloused and cold your feet were to my touch.
You tried to eat at every meal, apologizing after a bite or too, maybe you would eat more later, but you never did, the taste and pleasure of foods that you had long enjoyed lost as you starved surrounded by plenty.
I never kissed you till the end, bending to press my lips to your head after caressing it, the musk of your scent teasing my nostrils with the illusion that you were undiminished by your illness even as it stole you away.
About the Creator
John Cox
Twisted teller of mind bending tales. I never met a myth I didn't love or a subject that I couldn't twist out of joint. I have a little something for almost everyone here. Cept AI. Aint got none of that.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Comments (38)
My this still breaks me a little. But, I love the love and care and thoughtfulness of it. There's hurt but there's also that sense of "he was in my life" to it that elevates it beyond a simple poem about grief. If that makes sense. That last stanza was incredible, too! Thank you for reminding me of this great piece, sir. I got to experience it allover again!
Sad raw emotions. Nicely Done!!!
Wow, I really love this one. :) Great job!
Beautifully written and evocative, John <3 Congratulations on TS! Thank you for sharing this
I don't know how I missed this. It is incredibly well written, unleashing unbelievably raw emotions
This is written with so much love and beauty. Thank you for sharing this story and this experience with us.
I was not prepared for how hard hitting this would be. This was a very well written Elegy, you outlined the strength of your dad and your love for him and it was so painfully vivid. Beautifully bittersweet, and how it ended with his natural scent teasing your nostrils, giving the illusion that he was undiminished by his illness. What a line that was. Masterfully done!
Back to say congratulations on a much deserved honorable mention on this week's leaderboard for Most Discussed Stories!
A wonderful tribute to your father. Congratulations on your TS. I'm so glad I found it.
This piece is incredibly moving and captures the complex emotions surrounding loss and memory. Your vivid imagery and heartfelt reflection truly resonate. Congratulations on being recognized as a top story—your talent shines through!" It's such a beautiful and heartfelt message!
Good work!
congrats on the TS
.. and congrats on the TS
So touching and personal, John, I really felt the five senses through your writing. Love the photo too. Something so special about Dads (and I guess husbands) in uniform.
really heart touching ❤
brilliant
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
as always, John, you leave me speechless and full of vivid images
Lol...I'll try again. I said the wrong thing to the wrong person here originally. I'm so glad to see this getting Top Story, John! So thoroughly well deserved. Congrats!
Congrats on the TS.
Wow. You describe this so well, that you make a stranger understand it so well. So beautiful.
Such heart. So real.
Beautifully written about your dear Dad… he sounds like my Dad in a similar state near the end of his life. We were blessed to have them 💙
What a heartbreaking and touching tribute, John. This is so lovely and yet so very sad in its beauty.
This is beautiful, John. I'm so sorry for your loss. It never really goes away, does it?