Membrane
“The membrane between the normal and unthinkable is exceedingly thin” – mother of an autistic child
fall, fracture
pops rainbow bubble
thin unseen
fragile skin
between normal everyday
and life ever changed
disappeared
flight 370
Oso Slide
membrane slashed
now mud, rubble, tears, searching
no going back
© 2014 by Violet Nesdoly (all rights reserved)
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Around the time I had my accident, Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 went missing and the people of Oso, Washington suffered an unimaginable tragedy. Viewed from the perspective of those incidents, my mishap was peanuts. Still, all three contained elements that reminded me of what the mother of the autistic little girl my daughter used to babysit said the day she told her story to the women at our church–the poem’s epigraph.
This poem is the second in the LIMP poems series. Click on the “LIMP sequence” category below to view all.
Violet Nesdoly 
I have felt this thin membrane profoundly as I look into the eyes of my student whose mother died suddenly a few weeks ago. The unthinkable for a 9 year old girl not only to lose a parent but to watch her struggle to breathe. Yes, she was there. She is showing such amazing strength. The bubble can be strong despite all odds. Thanks for this poem.
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Oh my. That is a heavy thing for a 9-year-old to go through. She will be forever changed by it. She is blessed to have an observant and caring adult like you in her life at this time, Margaret.
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Nice connection between the line that inspired you and your theme. Good eye, Violet.
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