Carcass.

Cherry

By ScoZen

Sun, 06 Feb 2011
  • 2255 reads
9 comments
 

She hangs in the harness.
Someone's mother.
Helpless.
Listening.
Watching.
Her eyes speak volumes.
For silent lips.

' It's jammed ' said one.
'What ?
' It's bloody jammed, that's what I said

She hangs , her arm trapped behind a belt.
The steel frame jerks as the hoist lurches forward.
The wheels free from the sticky carpet.
Her head strikes the pulley.

'Christ, these sheets are stinking , ohh, bloody hell the mattress is rotten as well...' said the other.

'Never mind the bloody bed, the next shift will sort that out...lets have a fag...'

'...we'll only be a couple of minutes love...' a carer shouts.

As the door closes someone's mother falls to the floor.
She lies.
Helpless.
Listening.
Waiting...

"... In a three-year period, from April 2004 to April 2007.
HSE and local authorities received reports of approximately 92 incidents...
... involving falls to patients or service-users, in the health and social care sector...where a hoist or sling was involved...."

Certificate U
Story
Bedsit tales and other stories.
Other Non-fiction

Comments

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Hi there, ScoZen, The old saying springs to mind after reading this, 'There's no smoke without fire'. Your moving story brings up many issues, not only the one to which you specifically refer in your summing up, and I, myself, could write a book. Thanks for posting this. Sand Lady;-)

 

Submitted by ScoZen on
ScoZen. Hello Sand Lady Thanks again for your kind support its much appreciated. "...and I, myself, could write a book..." Please do write a book I will look forward to reading it. Kind regards. ps I hope you don't mind me calling you Sand Lady?
ScoZen

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on
very good ScoZen. So few words, but they're all you needed to tell the story. you have two some ones, and you need to make them into someone's

 

Submitted by ScoZen on
ScoZen Hello insert. Grammar corrected, thanks for that. I'm pleased you enjoyed reading this piece. Take care.
ScoZen

Submitted by ScoZen on
ScoZen A grateful thanks to the ABC team for awarding me a cherry for Carcass. Chuffed to say the least.
ScoZen

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
'Course not;-) and as to the book, I just might. P.S. Well done on the more than deserved cherry. Sand Lady;-)

 

Submitted by barryj1 on
I have worked in home care with the elderly for twenty-eight years and you got this one totally right! Beautiful poem even if the imagery is a bit gruesome and unnerving. You made social commentary without turning it into dogma which is rather difficult in fiction. By the way, my agency sends home care workers into the home to care for the elderly and handicapped south of Boston, Massachusetts. The 'Hoya Lifts' are scary business and - thank God! - we seldom have to deal with the unweildly contraptions. But I'm getting off track. First rate poem!!!

barryj1

Submitted by ScoZen on
Thanks Barry for your comments. A touch bleak I know, but not all homes are like this one thankfully. Your agency sounds if its doing a great job with vulnerable people. Thanks
ScoZen

Submitted by lenchenelf on
Hard hitting, a strong piece with a strong message. atb Lena xx