Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Magpie Tales #68, "The Nursing Home Visit", a poem

Photo Courtesy of Tess Kincaid for Magpie Tales


The Nursing Home Visit

His gaze rests upon me,
seeing me not as I am.  His
shaking hand caresses my cheek
and tugs upon a non-existent
ponytail.  I look into his moist eyes,
sadly trying to imagine
how it would have felt
to see this devotion
when I was a little girl
desirous of his affection,
and not an image conjured up
by a doddering mind,
years too late.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, June 7, 2011

This is for Magpie Tales #68.  I also submitted this to One Stop Poetry's "One Shot Wednesday".  

23 comments:

Brian Miller said...

sad...dementia truly scares me...my mom turns 69 today...and i hope that it does not visit her...though i have seen it in other family...and spent time in college working at a retirement home as well where it was prevelant...

Ginny Brannan said...

This tugs at my emotions. Felt such a sadness reading this, both for the old man who can barely remember, and the now grown little girl who remembers the lack of affection to well.

Ned Francis said...

Beautifully written, my mom also has a selective memory,"conjured up from absent yet vivid (in her mind)experiance. All we can do is LOVE THEM! we will miss them when they are gone. Bless you, NFN!

Anonymous said...

wow, your photo really brings to life the message in your poem...i worked while in college at a home for the aged, and i will never forget how much there was to learn and experience with people years and years ahead of me...especially when that someone is a loved one...I like the way your poem gently and sensitively addresses the realization of aging...and knowing one day someone will be searching for us, somewhere inside our withered body...

a touching poem...

sincerely,

Helen said...

I could write volumes about this poignant piece ... it hits on every level possible as we watch our parents age ~ as we ourselves age.

TexWisGirl said...

oh my. really well done.

Lisa Gordon said...

So sad, yet so very beautiful Margaret.

G-Man said...

Margaret...
You are so talented!

Sioux Roslawski said...

I lost my dad in December. He had had Alzheimer's for years. This was one of the most moving magpies I've ever read.

Margaret said...

I truly thank you all for such a kind response to my poem! It truly encourages me to keep trying each week.

lucychili said...

sad but gentle

signed...bkm said...

A powerful write with Father's Day this week...my dad is getting old..I feel I am getting old too..Nice write..bkm

EG CameraGirl said...

Thank you, Your poem touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes.

Unknown said...

poignant read, written beautifully and I'm sure striking chords within many of us ....thank you

Pat Hatt said...

You words are so in kind
About memories one tries to find
Great one shot you put into place
With your words making some thoughts race

Unknown said...

Your writing is amazing.. I wish I could write like that.

Hugs, Linda

Lolamouse said...

Sad and touching. Nicely done Magpie.

izzy said...

Love the non existent pony tail- really nice and very true. It does bring us back to the times when we really needed the tenderness and got none. Thanks.

hyperCRYPTICal said...

Margaret - this is wonderful, wonderful in its sadness. It tugged at my heartstings and made me sigh.

Respect.

Anna :o]

The Brave said...

This was so sad and beautiful. I can relate to this poem and feel the woman's pain and wanting. Excellent work.

Tess Kincaid said...

Poignant and beautiful. I think we all can relate to this one, M.

Anonymous said...

This is devastating and beautiful as a neglected child I can relate for the yearning for affection

Steve Isaak said...

Solid read.