We too will be old one day

By Rhiannonw

Sat, 19 Nov 2011
  • 1218 reads
3 comments
 

Stories pouring,
boring,
recycled once more,
repeatedly pour:

heavy chore –
listen, smile,
in a while
try to find
a way that’s kind,
to stop the flow
interject with tact
an answer or interesting fact
quickly, to distract:
sometimes success,
sometimes no impact,
thoughts in a groove,
hard to move,
your answer forgotten,
round and round,
same old ground.

At least today it’s not a worry,
or grievance bitter
from when he was fitter –
memories confused and in disarray,
anger astray.

I hope they’ll be patient
if I’m incoherent
one day, lost mind, –
will they be kind?
may I never hoard hate,
belligerent state,
but be placid, content
though my words cascade
– memories stored,
outpoured,
relatives bored.

Certificate U
Poem
Families
Miscellaneous

Comments

Submitted by Leander42 on
I like this poem. In fact the first two verses are so good they work all on their own. The other verses are good too, but I feel they're just not working as hard. For me personally, I'd kill them off and let the first two verses soar. Well done.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on
Thanks for the comment. I was thinking of someone who does get into cylical worries, and confused wrong anger with which it is difficult to reason, and more of a problem than the boredom issues. And therefore wanted to finish also with thoughts on my own need to pray and prepare in whatever way I can for old age! Will think about it more, thanks. Rh

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannon

I think the whole poem works well together - and knowing your in-law situation, I expect that what you are describing is only too true a situation. I too, worry about how I will become when I am older, and hope my kids will deal with my kindly - as I'm sure they will.

My sister, that I went to visit in Portland last summer, has had another stroke, and is the hospital, and the family has been told she now needs 24 hour care. But she is very well served by her five children.

Jean

Jean Day