Thrice Caws the Crow

This brought tears to my eyes it is so poignant Tina, and echoes things I have seen this last few years in NHS hospitals. Particularly the jug of water that the narrator was too weak to lift. I dont know how many times Ive helped old folk to eat and drink in hospitals, before their untouched food was removed. And. dare I say Tina, just a couple of months ago I was that daughter. Linda

Great poem. Very moving.

Rigel

Thank you Linda...for sharing, and for your empathy.

Tina

Many thanks, Rigel

Tina

You capture the faults of the NHS and our future so well in this poem, Tina.

Moya

Thanks, Moya. The NHS...I could go on forever...not to mention all our futures.

Tina;-)

Bulls-eye Silver. I love the step change brought about by the invective in the tenth (?) stanza. Screaming, heartbreaking and perfectly observed; the poetry of the last two stanzas is simply wonderful.

Thanks, scratch. This poem means a lot to me...as did your words.

Tina

Indrani Ananda
Very graphic, Tina. Seven years ago this would have been written about my mum, and ten years before that, my dad. The allegory of the crow is sombre and unnerving, yet true. A heartbreaking poem.
Indrani.

Thank you Indrani.

I feel that, unfortunately, many of us will identify with this.

Many thanks to you, as well, for sharing.

Tina

Great observation as always, Tina - and that unique ability to get into character so to speak. No doubt triggered by personal experience...

Hi there, Coral.

And you are so right about personal experience...I could write a book, and maybe I will one day.

Hope your day is a good one, although I think we are all sick and tired of chasing summer;-)

Tina

I thought this was amazing Tina, and very perceptive. I have wondered about this state of consciousness before. Especially when my mother-in-law had a stroke last year. She died after three weeks in hospital, but I did wonder, while she was lying there, slipping in and out of sleep (or consciousness) and showing only vague signs of awareness of her family around her, did she know, could she hear us, feel us holding her hand? I tried to imagine her scenario. I tried to imagine myself in her position, lying there, knowing people were trying to get through to me, but being unable to respond and aware of that inability.

You captured the frustration of that state of mind perfectly and understood completely the inward outburst: “For fuck’s sake!”

And the way you ended your piece was awesome:

I am the prayers she says in bed each night;
the smile, and the wave when she leaves my side...
the tears – fill her eyes when she walks away...

the black-backed crow waits by the window
for life to be extinguished here. “For the best,
for the best,” it caws.
I am that lie.

There nothing more to say after that.

Really well written as always, Tina, and also as always, I was moved by it.

Trev

Thanks, Trev.

So pleased you managed to get so much from us. It is a poem close to my heart as it too, is about my mother.

I am so sorry for what you went through with yours. It is heartbreaking, as you say.

Thank you for sharing.

Tina

Ooh, this is breathtaking, Tina. Brought tears to my eyes. You have a way with words; there's so much going on for me in this one.

It reminded me of my grandmother, also, and with the same sort of ordeal taking place. I miss her. And this surely struck a cord in me. Great job. I'm so sorry about yours.

Thanks, Jessica.

Your words meant a lot to me.

Tina

“Please
don’t mind if I try.” ... favourite line.

Lovely poem, so very true. Our hospitals are run by nursing staff lacking compassion, morale is low, pay is low, nurses are undervalued and therefore don't even strive to give their best.

Lovely emotions.

Thanks, Sooz.

Much appreciated.

Tina