The Thirst

How our passions command our souls!

Original photograph by Tomasz Sienicki (tsca).  This work has been released into the public domain by its author, tsca. This applies worldwide. In some countries this may not be legally possible; if so: tsca grants anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law. The original photograph can be seen at  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Hospital_room_ubt.jpeg

Dear Readers,

This is not a factual account of my aunt's last days. I was not there in the end. It was Charlotte, my aunt's daughter, that came through, and was such a boon to my aunt and uncle. Thanks, Charlotte, you were such a champ. Everyone counted on you, and you did not disappoint.

This poem presented itself to me without conscious thought. I was consumed in the gravity of another loss in the family, and then I felt the whole of human existence and the weight of our wants and desires.  Our desires were being so defeated in the loss of a precious family member.  But want goes so much beyond that. It is a thirst that we mere mortals can't quench. Some of these wants are noble, but the majority are petty and crude--okay, well at least not noble. Man's whole existence is filled with want, with a thirst that can't be satisfied, be it desire for more life, riches, fame, or whatever. We thirst. And this is especially apropos as Oppie was denied water in the end by the hospice nurses as this was to be the end.  They kept her comfortable, but she died of her thirst, just as we all die a bit each day from our thirsts.

Rick

The Thirst

     "Death of an aunt, my mother's sister, an unforgetable presence in my life."

As she lay dying in the night

My spirit rose with second sight

And saw Man’s thirsts hung in the air

Such hungry things--black with despair

I moved through them--

I heard them growl

They tore my flesh

Threw back their cowls

Exposed sharp teeth

And flashed wild eyes

With fear I shook--

In horror cried!

 

But calm returned to ‘ darkened room

I heard her breathe--that will end soon

In silence cloaked, soft in the night

I sat awaiting morning's light

 

For that will be another day

Through which we must hold thirst at bay

I want to cry, but do not dare

I can’t shed tears--won't feed despair

 

She died that evening from her thirst

No water given by the nurse

She passed in peace without a sound

The drugs were kind, they say they've found

 

But we are left here with our thirsts

Unruly passions--how we’re cursed!

And now Life’s taken her away

Another thirst instilled this day

 

And my life stretches out so long

Another night, another dawn

Another want, another fear

Another loss, another tear

 

Until one day thirst is denied

And we’re released from our vain pride

No cares to claw, fierce on our heart

A day of peace, a time to stop

 

 

 

© 2013 Richard Puetter

All rights reserved

We miss you, Oppie (Alberta Jeeninga Marshal), and we feel for you, Bill. She cannot be replaced. Our deepest condolences. We miss her so much.

© 2013 The Marshal Family, the Puetter Family, the Jeeninga Family, the Beckman Family, together and individually -- All rights reserved

© 2013 The Marshal Family, the Puetter Family, the Jeeninga Family, the Beckman Family, together and individually -- All rights reserved

 

Reviews

[Data]

Aye, 'tis true, the thirst for life is potent.
From her pictures and what you write, Rick, Oppie looks like a kind and beautiful woman; I hope she had the opportunity to drink long and deep of life.
On that last day when thirst unquenched, as you say, "A day of peace"
There's a kind of darkness, I suspect borne of grief, in the poem, but with the notes and pictures included this is a beautiful tribute for a person you, patently, cared for deeply.
Phil.

[Pryde Foltz]

How lovely to be loved so. Great poem!!!

[emmajoy]

The death of someone truly loved and admired is like a long and endless tunnel. And it takes so long to come from under the black blanket of grief his or her going leaves. But it does calm and sweet memories do return, dear Rick. So sad for you and sending hugs to you, your wife and the entire family. Em

[emmajoy]

And, having re-read your tribute, i still feel the tragedy of such a loved and admired lady passing out of sight but .. of course, not out of memory.

[Ravyne Hawke]

I've lost so many aunts in the last couple of years.. this poem describes the real moments of death and dying. Wonderful poem, Rick.. on so many levels.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it will be a day of peace...finally when we reach that end to this life...even though we want to make the most of it...there is enough suffering in this life for us to hope that there is something better, something calmer waiting for us in the end..

this reminded me of a couple of emily dickinson poems..and her perspective on death.

well penned.

jacob

[Abdul Aziz]

This is a powerful meditation on the nature of death. Your words always ring with clarity and enable us to see the whole picture even as you concentrate on the finer details. My aunt, schizophrenic, was faced with life threatening septicemia last year and I can remember how I felt at that time, battling to get her to the hospital, and waiting day and night not knowing what was going to happen. She survived, thank God.

I'm sorry if I don't have much to say about the emotional core of the poem, because death as a concept is different for different people, based on their cultural background and experience. But I must say that this line appealed to me the most: "And we're released from our vain pride".

I came across your poetry many years ago, and I must say you provided me with the belief that the type of poetry doesn't matter as long as the poem is good.

Thank you for sharing this poem!

[Sheila Kline]

Rick,

And the day shall come when the tick of the clock of life shall be silenced along with its corresponding tock, and one's adventure here on earth shall cease.

You have expressed deep feeling as well as a look at our inevitable demise in a way that touches the reader, and allows one to know the admiration and respect you held/still do hold for your dear aunt, who is obviously one so very dear to you!!!

Thank you for sharing this intimate glimpse into her life as you continue to thirst for a long life!!

Best Regards and Compassion,
Sheila

[Leslie Philibert]

I am trying to find time to look at all the fine writers that I know on this site. This is
a fine poem, that convinces with sincerity and emotion, fine job

[Saumya]

this is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i just loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! very well done!!!!!

[Gobinder Singh Dhindsa]

Well Done! Keep it up! Do u read mine 2 TIME and MANNER..if possible then gives ur review..

[Marie]

We thirst for so much and are not appeased...search for so much and find nothing...until it's over...