Ode to Ed

I met an old man today having volunteered for a place that takes care of dementia people. He talked to me for an hour and poured out his heart.

I’m not sure if you’ll remember me

But you made me feel seen

Your lone tooth and shy mane

Your stroke of lonely resilience

You’re a man out of time, out of

Our time at least.

Your hands half black and hair a frail white

You told me how you farmed and how many

Acres you had, and what the correct way to kill

Yourself was. Don’t hang yourself, that’ll take

Too long. A bullet, just right above the nose’ll

Do. You told me your birthday was coming up.

91 soon. I wonder if you’d remember yourself

If I showed you your picture.

Author's Note

Comments? Ideas? Feelings? Critiques or praises?

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I fear this happening...getting to that age and feeling useless to society, useless to myself...
no reason to go on.
this reminds me of Anne Sexton and the way she wrote about suicide...
How he waits in the cupboard...for us...
This is powerful...I wish I could talk to Ed and try to give him some hope.
Life really is worth it...

[Marie]

Oh, dear poet! This is a truly heartbreaking write. I pray this 91 year old gentleman who worked so hard all his life, enjoys the Winter years until it's time for him to return home to Spirit again. It is a very difficult end of life scenario to face. Regardless of what age we are, life brings its own unique difficulties to our door and we should welcome them as hurdles for us to jump over, to gain inner strength and mental stamina from, not bow to the feelings they give us, but prove them wrong. A very potent write, dear poet. I too, wonder if he would recognise himself in his old photograph? I feel 110% certain that he would. Bless him and bless you for sharing this finely penned poem...

[DIVYA]

Dementia is so sad. As are all mental troubles. Your words sent a chill up my spine. I hope the gentleman is doing well. He certainly is special.