Monday, April 2, 2012

VISIT? OR? - A PAD DAY 2 CHALLENGE POEM


VISIT? – OR?

I can come for a visit
Someone here will fold
the walker into the car
you send for me
I will be presentable
they have someone who
styles hair here now
not like last time
perhaps at ninety three
hair should not fall free
on shoulders as you said
I can come for a visit
and sit in that chair
you have for me by
the window – I won’t
comment on the crinkle
of the plastic I feel under
the pretty paisley throw
I can come for a visit
and see your new Prada
admire its sheen
and smile when you and yours
laugh those laughs they
must have given out when
you came into your own
I can come for a visit
Or
I can come
and cut carrots
for the holiday dinner
even from a chair
my fingers tremble
but my heart is strong
I can come for a visit
Or I can return to my home
by the lake with the sagging
porch that you say is being fixed
while I visit in that place perfumed with
faint urine for another year
I can visit
Or
I can return to the home that is no more
Stand on the shore of the lake that shines
With a reflection of all that was before and
Just after you
I can
visit
Or ….
I can stay
With you – it shouldn’t be for too long
I have some stories left unspoken
Yet, my voice too sudden-soft to speak
I write instead …
“Dear Child, – Thank you, for the kind invitation
to visit but I must..
Decline

7 comments:

  1. Oh my, Dr P... You had me in tears... The elder's presence eerily drifts away further the more I read... I found my heart reaching out and trying to hold onto her.

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    Replies
    1. Excellent way to express what I was feeling also as I read this.

      You've captured much in this piece, Pearl. Excellent.

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  2. sob - and as we all slowly progress to this place, I feel my heart breaking just a little

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  3. Oh! Have to agree with what everyone said here, Pearl. This piece is so well captured and so... heartbreaking.

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  4. Here it is again!
    I loved this one too, but very sad. So true, though. You have highlighted how we feel about people who are in nursing homes. After a certain point they become less than people. Brilliant!

    See I added a few words to the comment as well.:)

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  5. Hauntingly accurate in the description of a sign of the times. How exceedingly clever.

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