Written to make one cryA Poem by David O Whalen (O Haolin in Celtic)guaranteed to put a tear in your eyeEmmaline Connor Room 101 By David Whalen Lids slowly closing, aged eyes rimmed with red Blue veined hands clutching sheets to her chin Fond memories, old boyfriends, gaily dance through her head A time traveler, scanning archives, sequestered within My knock brings her back to this time, here and now With a start she awakens, closes softly memory’s door With a smile I approach, place a hand on her brow Gently bringing her back to the present once more Tucking a bib neath her chin like an infant Huge breakfast tray pulled close to her breast Eyes mockingly wide in jesting amazement Solemnly promises to give it her best I sit by her side, uncapping and helping With the soft pureed breakfast I provided A few birdlike bites, her resolve quickly melting She’s really quite full now, she’s decided Chiding her gently to eat some more food She jokingly tells me she’s watching her weight And with age earned authority it’s to be understood At a fat eighty pounds, it’s already too late I remove the tray, knowing when I’m beaten By a wisp of a woman who grows more wispy each day Each day of each week, less food is eaten Not much more time in this in this bed will she stay Diaper changing endured with lady-like grace Bed bath accepted with placid aplomb Grey hair brushed back, and tied with white lace Wizened face a portrait of complacent calm Dear friend, earnest student, strong right hand for her mother Many persons this fine lady’s played Big sister for little brother, to strong passionate lover Roles without end and with deep love portrayed As I place the call button close to her hands She dreamily places her withered hands over mine Be sure to come back here for lunch, she demands And this time be sure to bring wine Eyes slowly closing, drifting off into slumber I gently pull sheets to her chin Once more a time traveler, to memories without number She travels back to the past once again At another door I knock softly, so not to alarm Another time traveler, body here, mind away A grandfatherly figure, with tubes in his arm The nurse whispers to me that he’s not long to stay I wipe food from the corners of his mouth as I feed him While thinking how much these people endure Admiring them all, as their sight starts to dim Time travelers, in their memories, all safe and secure Silence suddenly broken, by speakers in halls “Attention, code 99, room 101!” My spoon stops… suspended…my heart seems to pause Time traveler, sweet traveler, where have you gone? At lunch time I knock softly, sadly open the door Empty bed, newly made, makes my eyes sting with tears Emmaline connor, time traveler, sleeps here no more Is once more a young lady… Traveling back through the years © 2012 David O Whalen (O Haolin in Celtic) |
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Added on April 15, 2012 Last Updated on June 17, 2012 AuthorDavid O Whalen (O Haolin in Celtic)Las Vegas, NVAboutBorn in Kentucky, teen years in Loveland Ohio, old in age, young in mind, I'm not human, I don't believe in religion, love. faith or trust, I do believe in: lil' kids, ol' dogs, leprechauns, and water.. more..Writing
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