Neil Leist

 

Yesterday, I met a famous photographer, Tony Vaccaro, who had photographed my brother in 1981. It was a year before my brother’s car accident. After two years in a coma, Neil passed. I’m more determined than ever to write a book on my brother’s life. Tony took photos of Presidents Kennedy, Obama, and Nixon. Famous stars like Sophia Lauren. Artists like Picasso and Georgia O’Keefe. And my brother, Neil Leist. Neil had just become the CEO and President of American Bakeries. He made his fortune in the commodities markets and was on his way to the top. The accident ended his dreams and mine.

This isn’t the photo taken by Tony Vaccaro. This photograph is the last one I have of my brother. 

ABANDONED

Abandoned Library (by katka.havlikova)

 

Abandoned books.

Knowledge lost.

Potential buried.

Animals scurry past

Discarded pages

That no one will read.

The wind sighs.

SING ME A SONG

 

SING ME A SONG 

Sing me a song. 

Write a melody 

Of times gone by 

And moments lost in time. 

Stroke the keys. 

Massage the ivories. 

Raise your voice high 

So I can hear your words. 

Words of hope and loss. 

Sing them loud and clear. 

Stories of faraway places 

And times that are gone. 

I close my eyes. 

I can hear your words. 

I see your fingers 

Stroking the keys. 

The words take flight. 

They reverberate through time. 

They leave your lips 

To land on mine. 

A sweet melody 

To soothe my advancing years. 

A pretty song To fill my empty heart.

A SOLEMN PROMISE

 

 

The skyline is clear.

Buildings stand tall and bright.

Then a day arrives that

ruins every day to come.

Intruders invade our space

and destroy our twin towers.

Towers I love.

Towers where I had worked.

Goodbye, my precious towers.

Never again will our skyline be invaded.

It shall remain clear forever.

A solemn promise.

A SHADOW IN THE WIND

 

The castle sits in the woods,

its walls filled with memories.

Sounds of laughter and music

float in the still air.

Whisps of smoke hover 

between the trees.

A soft shadow in the wind 

settles beside me.

A tap on my shoulder.

A sigh in my ear.

I know who it is.

Goodbye, my love.

We’ll be together again soon.

LOST IN THE STORM

 

pale-womannSource:

 

The storm approaches the shore.

Dampness coats the air.

Mist sprays against my face.

Strands of hair fly in the wind.

Thunder rumbles in the distance.

I feel it.

It’s almost here.

Will I lose myself to it?

Let it take me to its depths.

I spread my arms,

Lift my head high.

I let myself fall.

Arms pull me under.

Lips reach for mine.

I’m lost for eternity,

Lost to the rushing wind,

Prisoner of the ultimate despair,

Partner in pain and sorrow.

The choice is made and done.

I float away with my dear one.

Together we will forge a path

Through darkness and hell

To a heavenly place beyond.

I REACH FOR YOU

 

I reach for you.

I can’t touch you.

You are gone.

I must accept this.

There’s no coming back.

No second chances.