I wonder...

Drove past the care home where mum spent her last few years on this planet

I wonder how many of them, her friends, are still living
and who now inhabits her apartment,
and I wonder if that inhabitant too has a son who visits
to natter, clean the fridge, date check the food
and make tea whilst listening to oft' repeated words.
I also wonder if each time goodbyes are said
whether he thinks this may well be the last goodbye,
his last living memory of the one constant in his life
as death a more than regular visitor to God's waiting room,
calling without invitation to collect the last breath of all that live there.
And when that time comes, as it surely will,
I wonder if that son will be ready, prepared
for the heartbreak, the devastation and subsequent loneliness
that takes hold when hearing that news, those words.
I wonder because I wasn't, and near 5 years on
there is still an emptiness that memories cannot fill.

Reviews

[Neville]

I know those feelings only too well .. I so wish I didn't .. every single second .. still raw, still numb even after so long .. my thoughts are with you and all those in the same boat Gee .. Neville

[Beccy]

The emptiness never truly goes away; and nor should it; because if it does, it means that we have forgotten. I am blessed that I still have both my parents, but I lost my beloved grandma some years past now, but to me she is still so very real in my mind.

Thank you for this poem.

Beccy. X

[Gee]

Hi Beccy, thanks for dropping in.
Hope you and the young fella are well

[Vol]

Gee,
I lost my 96 year old mom just last week... the memories of my 76 years in her presence are thick and deep, and ephemeral... Her mind was there till the end, but her body could no longer keep up. Bad knees, almost blind, almost deaf... hurt all over... What a blessing she has gone to the place she always called home...
Vol

[Gee]

In so sorry for your loss Vol. It's so hard when we lose the one constant in our lives. At least she is at peace now and pain free.
Take care

[Vol]

Amen... We rejoice for that, and celebrate who she was... no Grief, though, the alternative was not anything anyone would want... Maybe in heaven we'll get our 18-year-old bodies back.
Vol

[Gee]

It would be nice especially if it came with the experience of age tagged into our minds :)

[carl]

one of the most regrettable things in life that we only realize after it happens and the impact it has on us - "why did I not take more time, pay more attention, listen more carefully, love more sincerely . I have that experience with my parents and two brothers and I know that my own children will one day be there as well. Sounds very pious on my part but it is not it's just a fact of life and death. We can become so busy living our life we fail to see that someone we love is losing theirs. "Cat's in the Cradle" Harry Chapin knew -- - Very heart felt piece of writing you have expressed glad I came by to read - carl

[Gee]

A very belated thank you Carl

[FlatDaddy]

I stumbled on your page quite by accident and was prepared to click away when I thought, "Oh, I'm here, I might as well read something," -- and I am glad I did. You have quite a way of seducing the reader to keep on going, even though he knows instinctively where this leads, because he (read "I") has been there, too. But we can't help it, we must trudge on, to discover if someone shares that desperate loneliness and sadness of before, and we find that yes, he does, and the memories of mine are also yours, just wearing different clothes. I was especially touched by the line, "calling without invitation to collect the last breath of all that live there." Chilling, but lovely, too. Thanks for this.

[Gee]

I like your honesty and thank you for taking a punt in reading my "stuff"

[emmajoygreen]

Your words show with absolute and everlasting sincerity that love should be given with actions and words whilst our darlings are still alive. Once gone, tears do nothing. For as long as I recall, you have shown and proved what the words love and gratitude truly and utterly mean. Bless you and your ladies.

[Gee]

A very tardy thank you( thank you)
Hope you are well and today's torrential rain has not washed you down a hill:)

[emmajoygreen]

All's fine as far as I know, thank you for asking and hoping! However, how tragic the happening in Texas due to torrential rain and worse.

[emmajoygreen]

May I please add another review:

When many pass their pain and age has had more than enough, the grievers sob and pray or lose the hope born to them.. to the state that their spirits have had enough and it's oh so hard to recover what they should: happy memories. Seems as I get older too many dates marked with teeny red crosses take up more space than for what's happening in this Life. Sighhhh.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Oh, yes. Have that same feeling driving past dad’s former nursing home. A very moving poem 🙏🏻🕊

[Gee]

Thanks Rick..

[Arundass TP]

Interesting poem filled with wonders of life and its mystery beyond. Good poem

[Gee]

Thank you kindly ATP

[Relic]

For those of us who have lost a parent, this is totally relatable. The cycle of life often goes on not just for us, but for those that will follow.

[Gee]

Thank you Relic