Sunday, February 7, 2016

NOW WHAT?




It's hard to describe these past weeks
with no obligatory rides 
to the nursing home in the country 
past all those old houses, 
cotton and chile farms, horses, the cutest donkey.  
No need to fix a thermos of coffee,
or buy a donut.
No silly guessing game to play 
as the train goes by:
how long would I be stopped
in its tracks?

No longer must I listen 
to her ramblings as she deciphered
faint memories real
while convinced of wild fantasies.
No longer need I witness
blatant mix of  living while dying.

Now my afternoons are free.
Now there's nothing 
for me to do.
I'm stopped in my tracks.

(For Poets United.)





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25 comments:

  1. Donna@LivingFromHappinessFebruary 7, 2016 at 11:48 AM

    Oh Myrna this brings great tears to my eyes....as I have ridden that path to visit a loved one who is 'living while dying', and once gone my world is suddenly more empty and I am 'stopped in my tracks'. And while there is grief, there is relief and release....but it is still hard to reckon with.

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  2. brudbergFebruary 7, 2016 at 12:00 PM

    This is so painful to read Myrna.. When we live with those routines of sadness, the numbness when it's over is truly strong in that last stanza.

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  3. MaryFebruary 7, 2016 at 12:29 PM

    This is very poignant, Myrna. There are some things to be happy about in this poem, but much sadness at its root. My condolences to you on the loss of someone who must have been close to you.

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  4. ayalaFebruary 7, 2016 at 1:29 PM

    I am so sorry for your loss.

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  5. Elephant's ChildFebruary 7, 2016 at 1:30 PM

    So very familiar. And the loss is so beautifully expressed. Thank you.

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  6. Sanaa RizviFebruary 7, 2016 at 1:49 PM

    This is deeply poignant and true. I am so sorry for your loss, its difficult to deal in these times. Big hugs.

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  7. Purba chakrabortyFebruary 7, 2016 at 1:56 PM

    This is heart wrenching :'(
    Very well written, Myrna.

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  8. J.N.T.February 7, 2016 at 2:39 PM

    Be at peace Myrna. I know what it feels like to lose a loved one. All those used-to-do's hanging in the air while we mourn. May you find comfort and strength in this difficult time. loves.

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  9. Sherry Blue SkyFebruary 7, 2016 at 4:04 PM

    Yes, very poignant. You spent so many years seeing The Ladies through, the afternoons must feel so empty. I hope as the weather warms, that Leroy and Daisy and you enjoy some nice rambles together. Wish we lived closer. You could visit me! Smiles.

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  10. humbirdFebruary 7, 2016 at 5:13 PM

    such pain and frustration in these words...strength and gratefulness from your side, big hugs and healing to you!

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  11. Gillena CoxFebruary 7, 2016 at 5:21 PM

    I could feel the emptiness you so vividly described. Sigh. Wishes for a speedy transition to happiness again

    Thanks for dropping in at my Sunday Lime today
    Much love...

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  12. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2016 at 6:49 PM

    Beautifully written. Grief is never easy, never simple. And each of us must deal with it in our own manner. Thank you for helping me through mine,

    Elizabeth

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  13. Old EggFebruary 7, 2016 at 6:52 PM

    The sadness of the visits now made worse by their ending. What an emotive yet loving tribute to a loved one.

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  14. SandiFebruary 7, 2016 at 7:08 PM

    This is wonderfully written and touches deeply.

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  15. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2016 at 7:30 PM

    Wow.. that's a sad poem about loss...but you've written it so well. The last line was stunning.

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  16. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2016 at 7:30 PM

    That was a sad poem about great loss..but you've written it so well. The last line was stunning.

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  17. thotpurgeFebruary 7, 2016 at 7:31 PM

    That was a sad poem about great loss..but you've written it so well. The last line was stunning.

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  18. C.C.February 7, 2016 at 8:37 PM

    Wow, this is so emotionally evocative. The 'No longer need I witness blatant mix of living while dying' and 'I'm stopped in my tracks'---whoa! It packs an emotional punch that the reader feels in the gut, for sure.

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  19. roadside cinnamonFebruary 7, 2016 at 10:31 PM

    This is so good.

    I'm very sorry for your loss.

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  20. Sumana RoyFebruary 7, 2016 at 10:50 PM

    so gracefully you've captivated this void touching your life...the sadness is palpable...

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  21. Jae RoseFebruary 8, 2016 at 5:54 AM

    What an effortless poem..i felt the loss and what as well as who was missing - sometimes freedom comes at a price..although if it means the end of suffering i hope there will be less of an ache in the afternoons

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  22. kaykualaFebruary 8, 2016 at 8:57 AM

    Having to go through seeing someone afflicted and not making progress is most frustrating. But seeing them might bring happiness on their part!

    Hank

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  23. Eileen T O'Neill .....February 8, 2016 at 10:41 AM

    Myrna,

    Sad when a routine ends, with a passing in time. We've both written poems with a similiar theme this week...How the mundane routine, suddenly ends...
    Best wishes,
    Eileen

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  24. Rosemary Nissen-WadeFebruary 8, 2016 at 3:45 PM

    I can relate all too well! Beautifully told in its understatement.

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  25. ZQFebruary 8, 2016 at 5:50 PM

    Marvelous ...well captured of a routine (a compassionate one) that has ceased to continue.
    ZQ

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