Autumn Colours (ii)

By Rhiannonw

Wed, 02 Nov 2016
  • 1704 reads
9 comments
 

 

Grey crown;
silvering thoughts, furnace-refined
( – tough life, many mistakes);
heart warm-red,
love’s kind blaze
warms smile and eyes;
hope gold.

*******

Grey frown;
envious (jealous-green) mind,
nursing bitter memories,
smouldering, simmering
anger charcoal-red;
sour-yellow glazed gaze,
jaundiced, nothing to offer,
lonely, browned-off;
hope on hold.

[IP: Autumn Colours. death and regeneration]

Certificate U
Poem
Families
Philosophy
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Ed Crane on

You seem to have got me both on a good and a bad day wink  . . . But I'm not grey.

Interesting take on the IP, but does it meet the brief? I mean  I got the death but where is regeneration? 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks for read and comment, Ed. I was trying to indicate in the last line, that some, in old age have a peace, and 'hope' in the certain sense of the word that is for a golden eternity, past the river of death, because of Christ's work. 
But if one settles for bitterness and resentment in old age, not only is the demeanour for others more sour, but there is a personal hope-lessness, and emptiness, 'browned-off' attitude to life.

I have to visit a nursing home regularly, and am aware there, and among those of younger years, of the two tendencies, though these are, in a sense, the two extremes of 'colour'! 

Any comment?? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Ed Crane on

My mother recently passed way in a care home. It was her choice, but I don't think she was happy there, giving up a house because one can't cope is very haed for someone as independent as her. I wonder maybe the bitterness you observe is in part due to having to make such a sacrifice?

My mum tried to be cheerful and make the best of things, but in the end we could see it wore her down. 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

My parents-in-law were very independent, but in his last year, father-in-law who had been inclined to anger and resentfulness of any help, was actually happy to be looked after in a nursing home, and seemed more content. Mother-in-law had dreaded losing her home, but actually when it had to happen, she has been so glad of people around her to watch as reading has become impossible, and actually her short term memory is so short, she had forgotten about liiving in her own home within a few days of her new 'care' home.

There has been one gentleman in particular recently who seems very grim and sour with his wife when she visits (and vice versa) and a harassed daughter and puzzled grandson are sometimes involved.

So, there can be various stages of frustration involved in losing abilities, needing to be dependent, getting confused etc of old age, but I think if, with God's help, we can 'learn to be content' and receive help graciously, we can be a delight to those who care for us and and can give much by a warm smile and having time to pray for those around. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I liked the positive thoughts behind the first stanza Rhiannon. I suppose it's not until we get to that point in our lives of being dependent on others that we can fully understand where our thoughts would lead us. I just hope I never loose my imagination.

An interesting take on the I P.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jenny. Interestingly, I have always found conversation difficult with my mother-in-law (she is 97!), and she has always had difficulty in opening up about her own feelings or showing facial expression, but I have just found that she has really enjoyed looking at some of Shirley Hughes' 'Alfie and Annie Rose' stories, and Dogger etc, with me. I don't know if you know them, but they are so observant of young children's lives, problems, thoughts, and the pictures so good on facial expressions. Somehow, it is tapping her locked up thoughts and imagination I think! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi again Rhiannon,

no I've never read these Shirley Hughs stories, but that's wonderful that your mother in law is able to get some pleasure, it must be so satisfying to feel that you're doing some good. 97 is an amazing age to reach, hope I live that long, just hope my memory doesn't go and I'm still able to write, read, paint, draw and listen to music which I love.

Jenny..

 

 

Submitted by hippie girl on

yes

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

smiley Thank you! Rhiannon