Dignity

Cherry

By seashore

Fri, 24 Jun 2011
  • 6795 reads
24 comments
 

It wasn't your wife
who held you

but the stranger
handing you the chalice

watching and waiting
as your throat constricted

and instinct took over
in that moment of panic

prompting your last words
recorded for millions

water, you pleaded,
and again....water -

a final request for life
to a stranger merely

doing her job, who
shook her head but

held you close whilst
your wife, the outsider,

had no role to play
as you slumped to a noisy

sleep - and the filming
stopped, pausing the image -

such a fine line between
pride and dignity

life and death.

Certificate 18
Opinion

Comments

Submitted by RachelPatricia on
Love the structure to this, Coral - like heartbeats. A very powerful poem, caused a lump in my throat this did, so well put - well done indeed for that, not an easy thing to do and you did it perfectly. Rachel xx

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thanks for posting this, Coral. Tina

 

Submitted by Overthetop1 on
Extremely well - written and so sad. But also very thought - provoking, which I think the best poems are.

Overthetop1

Submitted by seashore on
Thanks Tina, Rachel, OTT and FTSE - I really appreciate your comments. FTSE - you could be right but I beg to differ. For such a dignified man, to me as an observer, it was pure instinct for survival that prompted his last request but we'll never know unfortunately.

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on
I agree with overthetop - fantastic poem, and very thought provoking. well done

 

Submitted by seashore on
Thanks very much insert! Thanks also to the cherrypickers.

Submitted by Highhat on
I'm sure the what was in the chalice tasted bitter from a strangers hand. liked this Coral- well done xx

Submitted by seashore on
Thank you for that, Pia. xx

Submitted by Geoffrey on
Just got around to this. Brilliant as usual! I understand the request for water comes from the fact that your throat goes dry during the process. Drinking water would dilute the drink and possibly only cause brain damage instead of death. This statement was culled from news coverage from various sources.

Submitted by fatboy74 on
This is very good seashore, and poignantly told - I don't know what it's about exactly but it sounds like an assisted suicide case. Don't stop writing poems please they are too good not to be written. :-)

 

Submitted by seashore on
Thanks very much fb. Yes that's what it's about - a response to TV programme I wasn't sure I wanted to watch so recorded it, dithered, watched it, wished I hadn't, then decided to write about it as I saw it and felt about it. Geoff - thanks also. I didn't read any reviews or reports - just wrote this as a personal reaction. But it is a poem and I'm really grateful to have it judged as such.

Submitted by phase2 on
I didn't want to watch program. Having read your poem I'm glad. It seems like he died without the comfort of love, or the soothing of water - alone and thirsty. Seems to read with difficulty almost like a struggle till the last single line's release

 

Submitted by seashore on
Thank you for reading this phase2. To be honest the image of this man haunts me and this was the only way I could think of to express those feelings. I think it must have been very hard for his wife. It was only a moment but yes, hard to watch

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi seashore, I'm glad I left off commenting on this piece until the last minute. Having not seen the programme I was not sure what the poem was about, but now reading others comments, I can understand why it must have been a painful process to write. I also am glad I never watched the programme, with my imagination, it would probably have haunted me aswell. I think you did a good job of explaining the way you felt, on such a sad subject. Jenny.

 

Submitted by seashore on
I really appreciate what you say, Jenny. Like you, I have a vivid imagination and think I was possibly more affected than many people. The person who suggested I watch it seemed to find it far more positive than I did but we're all different aren't we? Thanks again for commenting.

Submitted by Beeme on
I didn't watch the programme, not because I have strong feelings either way. I just missed it, your poem painted a vibrant picture... so I guess I don't need to now. Nicely done, more than well done on the cherry. Beeme xx

k.

Submitted by seashore on
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Beeme. I hoped this would say enough without a reader knowing or watching the programme so it means a lot to me when you to tell me it worked for you xx

Submitted by seashore on
No apologies needed - very grateful for your lovely comment, Sundays. Thank you so much.

Submitted by phase2 on
Yes, of course. It is one thing to have a loved one die, but to know that their death can be watched again and again for years to come. You have the pain without the finality. An aweful thought. She must have had such a struggle not to give him a drink, too. Of all the things I've listened to on the radio about this subject, you've said far more, in this poem.

 

Submitted by seashore on
I very much appreciate your thoughts and comments phase2. Thank you.

Submitted by vmtwilliams on
Hi Seashore, Poignant & thought provoking. So much good stuff to read on this site. So little time! Regards, Vicky

Submitted by seashore on
Hi Vicky, thanks so much for leaving such a lovely comment. I agree and often worry I may have missed something really good as it's impossible to read everything!

Submitted by JoseHdz on
i love the way you lay the words on the page so effortlessly and naturally. you have a charming touch to your poetry.

Submitted by seashore on
Jose - coming from you that means a lot so thank you very much!