A Rose in Blossom

By Richard L. Provencher

Mon, 06 Jan 2014

2412 reads

8 comments

A whisper above her wheel chair

creates its own world.

Later on, she’ll remember

He was here, an hour, perhaps

a week ago, Alzheimer’s

digging roots.

She’ll be gone soon

from the nursing home, eyes

fixated on the overhead lighting

her green dress an impact

in the room, wheel

chair at attention, scratching

her leg, routine.

Tummy seems full, dinner

was---peas, no

chicken, potatoes cut

into little hunks, good too

she thinks, and

bread with dessert, ice cream

a cherry on top,

red like the setting sun.

Tilts her head, attentive

to One voice calling, knowing

she’ll be going home soon.

Certificate PG

Poem

Poetry - For All Reasons

Surreal

Comments

Sympathetically written,

Permalink Submitted by Rhiannonw on Mon, 2014-01-06 10:10

Sympathetically written, Richard. Loved the last stanza. Rhiannon

Thank you so much, Rhiannonw.

Permalink Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on Mon, 2014-01-06 18:59

Thank you so much, Rhiannonw. This poem is in memory of my mother, Mildred; and Dorothy -- mother of my wife, Esther. Both of whom had Alzheimers before passing on. It is an insidious disease, yet portrays such a majesty in the struggle. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.

Richard L. Provencher

What a beautiful poem. 'A

Permalink Submitted by Marionella on Mon, 2014-01-06 20:58

What a beautiful poem. 'A cherry on top, red like the setting sun'. What a beautiful parallel. Really liked this.

Excellent write from you here

Permalink Submitted by scratch on Mon, 2014-01-06 22:03

Excellent write from you here Richard, so tender and well observed. And a cherry on top of the poem as well as the ice cream. Well done.

Really liked this, Richard.

Permalink Submitted by Bee on Tue, 2014-01-07 11:36

Really liked this, Richard. As Rhiannon said - sympathetically written.

Bee

A plaintive and expressive

Permalink Submitted by luigi_pagano on Tue, 2014-01-07 17:49

A plaintive and expressive poem, Richard, Well done.

Thank you all---Marionella,

Permalink Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on Tue, 2014-01-07 20:49

Thank you all---Marionella, Scratch, Bee, and Luigi. Alzheimers appears to present a parallel world from its victim, where time and events keep sliding back and forth like the earth's crust, layering one upon another. Conversation is slowly digested, and responded to in its own time, perhaps long after when loved ones have completed their visit.