Elvis

Outwardly

he lives within a shrine

Inwardly

in the jailhouse (rock) of his mind;

Elvis roaring on the record

Elvis plastered on the door

blue suede slippers

(shoes were too expensive)

placed neatly on the floor

Elvis on the bedsheets

Elvis on the lamp

sunglasses

(more like Elton’s)

worn so coolly 

yet crazily camp

Elvis on the bath mat

Elvis on the towel

Elvis in the twitch of his hips

and grimace of his scowl

Elvis has left the building

and Elvis sits here in a chair

a light glowing faintly

behind those eyes

but mostly no longer there.

Author's Note

For my Uncle, Elvis Jacquot.

Reviews

[Relic]

I remember the night I watched his special from Hawaii. He was so cool looking and sang so good. Then I saw him in his last concert. Wow, I felt horrible.

I remember his movies, although clambake wasn't my favorite. :)

He's a legend. Unfortunately legends often meet a bad end.

Nice writing, Renata.

[Renata]

Elvis Presley was before my own time, but my Uncle remains a devoted fan, despite being in his current ailing state of Dementia. So, it’s more a tribute to what he is enduring. His name is Elvis as well. Thank you for the comment, Relic.

[Relic]

You're welcome. My father had dementia, I took care of him for years. It was the hardest thing I ever did.

[Forest Green]

A very pleasant reverie of emotion. Sad but real.

[Renata]

Thank you, Forest Green.

[emmajoygreen]

I read this as a once upon a time memory that a dear being is now unaware of. You, empathic niece, understands and writes of uncle with part admiration and sadness. Elvis Jacqot is remembered as was in all the glory and perhaps obsession with that hip shakin' ever remembered singer. Your poem is very special, very moving.

[Renata]

He remains very much alive, yet not exactly living with this condition. (I am hurtling by train to Paris as I type to pay him my daily visit).
An Elvis obsession would be putting it lightly, however. I doubt many own an Elvis toothbrush, but he does.
Thank you for commenting, emmajoygreen.

[emmajoygreen]

Comes a time when even an Elvis toothbrush is a Linus blanket. Perhaps?!

[Renata]

Kind of, but a little too pointy. Sharp pointed objects have to be monitored in this care home.

[emmajoygreen]

Of course, but I was intending that as a kind thought than an actual item. The mention of a Linus blanket is considered a wrap around kindness..

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Very sad when this happens, I went through it with both parents.
I like your allusion to Elvis Presley---I grew up with him...my godparents bought me every single of his in the fifties...he was my favorite...and his decline was so sad....much like those loved ones we watch deteriorate in front of our eyes.
This poem is so powerful.
j.

[Renata]

Thank you, Jacob. My Uncle is such a deep Elvis fan that he changed his birth name of Guillaume to Elvis legally sometime in 1973, I think. Sometimes now he can never recall my own name.