Who Cares...

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Mon, 13 Apr 2015
  • 1059 reads
6 comments
 
Who cares...
 
my mother had early onset Alzheimer’s –
died in a asylum – aged fifty-five, or
the fact my father followed a few years later;
the toll, caring for her, single-handed, took on him? 
Alzheimer’s, way back when, merely
some new-fangled word for mad. 
 
Who cares?  Just a bottle of little pink pills..
 
Or that my daughter was told, at nineteen years old
she had incurable cancer...of the cruellest kind. One
took away her smile, and half of her face...and
the simplest thing, her ability to blink or 
even close her eye.
 
Who cares?  Just a bottle of little pink pills.
 
Nor that she passed away – minutes before the year
she would have made forty, nor that her father
succumbed to Parkinson’s at 54 years old...or that, 
now, he has some form of dementia. 
 
In denial, as he is, makes living day-to-day, 
a nightmare. Trying to reason with someone
doesn’t know what reason is, indescribable.
 
Or that our youngest has recently moved,
from around the corner, to a place miles
away, just at the time I needed her most.  But
careers, these days – more crucial 
than trivialities such as mine.
 
Who cares?  Only a bottle of little pink pills,
and they’re about to resign. 
 
Which leaves a puny olive tree, in its terracotta pot –
once my daughter’s; only an offshoot,
of the parent plant – killed by frost
some six years ago...
 
and I have to admit, I talk to it, sometimes. No.
That’s a lie, I talk to it often – some 
of her ashes scattered there
 
although she never knew of my intention.
 
The rest, scattered off Southwold Pier, as requested
so, I hope she doesn’t mind.  
 
OK,  I know, there are folks way, way
more hard done by than me...but, I tell you;
honestly
 
who cares?  
 
 
Certificate 15
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Spiritual
Rant
Philosophy
Love

Comments

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

Oh Tina, I am writing this through tears. A rant indeed, and a very justifiable one. You have written this in such a simple way but the pain and frustration behind it is so deep. I know we cannot lessen your pain but I hope that by sharing it with us it will help in some way.

Take care

Lindy

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

It really does help, Lindy. Just get to the end of my tether, sometimes, and thanks for listening, so beautifully.

Tina

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I do. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Means so much, Rhiannon. Thank you.

Tina

 

Submitted by scratch on

Gosh Tina.  In my thoughts for what good that will do.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, scratch. More than appreciated.

Tina