 |
| 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:
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...
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.
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!
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,
I could write volumes about this poignant piece ... it hits on every level possible as we watch our parents age ~ as we ourselves age.
oh my. really well done.
So sad, yet so very beautiful Margaret.
Margaret...
You are so talented!
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.
I truly thank you all for such a kind response to my poem! It truly encourages me to keep trying each week.
sad but gentle
A powerful write with Father's Day this week...my dad is getting old..I feel I am getting old too..Nice write..bkm
Thank you, Your poem touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
poignant read, written beautifully and I'm sure striking chords within many of us ....thank you
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
Your writing is amazing.. I wish I could write like that.
Hugs, Linda
Sad and touching. Nicely done Magpie.
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.
Margaret - this is wonderful, wonderful in its sadness. It tugged at my heartstings and made me sigh.
Respect.
Anna :o]
This was so sad and beautiful. I can relate to this poem and feel the woman's pain and wanting. Excellent work.
Poignant and beautiful. I think we all can relate to this one, M.
This is devastating and beautiful as a neglected child I can relate for the yearning for affection
Solid read.
Post a Comment