memories
of all the good times
fewer
stories, oft-repeated
the
tie that binds when the cord is cut
obscene
tirades not remembered
the
great old oak that roots the clan
at
last upturned with roots exposed
one
who has known you for all of your days
more
demanding than your child
that
person once so very active
that
man now lying in his own wastes
keeper
of what they used to say
simply
entranced by TV games
happy
model for our golden years
unlikely
plans for resuming life
one
who helped you when you were helpless
you
cannot really help her now
he
who, smiling, made it look so easy
now
you find you have no answers
lives
of dignity and quiet virtue
ignored
by strangers at their day jobs
strong
men who fought in the greatest war
gray
shadow struggling to sit up for dinner
enjoying
a life of wise contemplation
lying
awake in a confusing silence
doing
things there was never time for
squirming
over bedpans and suffering from bedsores
spending
time with the grand kids
frightened
children at a stranger’s bedside
passing
on rich memories and great lessons
mementos
committed to the dumpster
secure
enough after a life spent saving
nest
egg plundered by corporate health care
skills
for living honed and sharpened
quiet
desperation among real strangers
committed
forever to a soul partner
left
alone to sort out the tatters
enjoying
a healthy, active lifestyle
watching
their bags fill through tubes
making
plans and talking trips
but
riding everywhere on their backs
watching
fat and getting fiber
eating
dog food to stay on budget
seeing
the grand children growing up
mistaking
your daughter as her child
wisely
tending to the household
being
fleeced by thieves and cons
passing
away with quiet dignity
bilked one last time by the funeral ‘industry’
No comments:
Post a Comment