Till Next Time

(93 and fading fast)

three times i call Pam’s name
pausing while her heavy lids open slowly
a reluctance to leave her forever faraways
to return to the present
sleepy today in her blue high back chair
pearl buttons on her cotton print blouse
somewhat out of sorts
no glimmer of recognition greets

seated at her feet on a footstool
i embrace her old bones and chat about
this and that
she stares back in silence
no words uttered no words forthcoming
nothing to indicate she knows who I am

i am the silver haired lady who visits
the one who cares for the paper thin skin
who massages her aunt’s wrinkled hands
with L’Occitane’s Lavender to calm her
who brushes her ever thinning hair
to help soothe her agitated expression
before planting a goodbye kiss on her
forehead and waving a fond farewell
till next time

Reviews

[Jansy]

Chris, this reads like a quiet meditation on devotion and the small rituals that anchor us to one another. The tension between recognition and unrecognition is heartbreaking yet deeply human. The details....the chair, the pearl buttons, the lavender....make the love tangible. “Till next time” lands with such simple, aching poignancy. Beautiful work.

-James

[Chris Shaw]

Yes it was a glitch on the response button James, now resolved at the sixth attempt. Small rituals, can make such a difference, you are so right. It saddens me to see so many completely abandoned by family. Forgotten. My visits to my aunt can sometimes be fraught, but there is no way I could abandon her. I never know whether there will be a next time but while she is still on this plane, she still deserves love. Thank you for a lovely review.

Chris

[RomaJ]

Chris, this poem holds such tender, quiet intimacy. I feel the weight of presence and absence in every line—the way love lingers even when recognition fades, the small gestures becoming monumental acts of care. The sensory details..the lavender, the pearl buttons..anchor the emotion beautifully. A deeply moving meditation on memory, devotion, and the fragile beauty of connection.
..Roma

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Roma, yes tender moments of care in the saddest of situations. Those little things can still make a difference. Thank you so much for a thoughtful and beautiful review.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

I worked in a chronic disease hospital for 12 years and saw many people in conditions similar to that of the lady described in this offering. They are forgotten by most of society, but those who provide care for them deserve a special place in Heaven.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. She has very good carers and I am truly thankful for that. They do deserve a special place in heaven and they always show warm humour and kindness, even when the going gets tough.

Chris

[carl]

These things we do without confirmation that they are understood but we do them as an offering to the one loved - trusting and hoping that we are heard and that some comfort has been received. - nice piece of work - carl.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Carl, hearing is the last of the senses to go, from my understanding. I hope my voice is reassuring to her and she feels loved. I appreciate and value your thoughts.

Chris

[JessyJacob]

Hi Chris,
Every moment with our loved ones is important when our loved ones age and getting close to go away from us.

I love you so much Chris, I wasn't sure you are sick but second time I saw you you were completely different I started talking to your inner self and you responded back to me but I saw you suffering with pain that is bothering you.

Life gave me so many things but you are my special gift from God, you treasured me with unknown depth of love. You are sad because your son left home 🏡 and every day you are just making sure he is fine.

I value my parents and they are my assets though my dad couldn't earn so much but he is beside me with my lonely life and my mom inspires every day. That is the reason I don't want to lose my family and I need my family.
Parents few of them give them so much richness but my parents gave themselves to me. Nobody can give unless they are your family.

I keep praying for you and your health.


Jessy Jacob ❤️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jessy 🌹

[Neville]

I read this earlier our Chris and it sent a shiver up and down my spine .. I can still feel the tingle .. No doubt my own memories of similarly tending my late father had something to do with it .. but the way you work feelings and words into poetry .. and again, knowing your pain, maybe as well as anyone can know another's pain made my subsequent visit more than just a mark of my respect, but a homage .. Neville 💜

[Chris Shaw]

Your words of appreciation for this poem and the reminder of your own father’s situation tell me you understand how painful visits to my aunt can be. But love is stronger and endures far longer than pain. I am always thankful that I can still make a small difference to improve her day. Thank you Neville for your understanding words. Have a great Monday.

Chris

[red93]

So poignant Chris, and as ever you are so good on the details, the small things. During my (too long) Agency days, I did some paid work for L'Occitane. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony. L’Occitane hand cream leaves a wonderful fragrance and is so calming. That little hand massage gives her a gentle light in her dark world. I appreciate your encouraging thoughts.

Chris

[red93]

✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Rachid Amrani]

A very gripping poem, Chris, as always. Through the magic of your words you convey to us the invalidity of the mind when it is inflicted with age and ills. How cruel that loved ones are rendered senile that they are unable to recognize the hand that "massages her aunt’s wrinkled " and "brushes her ever thinning hair".
Bleak reality but so true. Beautifully written.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Rachid for your thoughtful and understanding comments. Aging can be so cruel. I appreciate your thoughts here.

Chris

[Soren]

Devotion to anything or one is a measure of a person. This poem flows with fidelity to the past brought into the present. Reverence for the dead is extended to those mentally dead. We can not reach beyond the grave or curtain's veil but we can still clean the resting place and bring flowers. A lovely piece Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Soren, there isn’t much we can do when things get to this sad state, but little things still count and show there is still love and care. I appreciate your lovely review.

Chris

[Soren]

You are most welcome Chris

[Michael Sun Bear]

So poignant with love. Your visuals as usual are great, you even snuck in a lovely smell to trigger a second sense. You have me thinking about my elders I loved then lost to death, no one lived, thankfully, to really advanced age. One uncle committed suicide, my favorite aunt died relatively quickly while her mind was relatively clear, my father walked out in front of an auto on a state highway, my mother died in a distant state instantly of a massive stroke while doing one of her favorite things, gambling in a casino, a clutch of money in her hand. I now live in a retirement community where I think I may be the youngest person. So many people now live into their 90’s but their quality of life seems to typically range from bad to horrible. I do not wish to live that long. It really seems to me that something has gone spiritually awry. I don’t think we were created with the intent of our bodies to outlive our minds, nor to suffer all the severe physical ailments of really advanced age. But back to you. I am sure this is autobiographical. It is wonderful of you to visit and try to connect with Pam. It must create quite a mix of emotions for you. MSB

[Chris Shaw]

You raise much to discuss Michael as a result of reading my poem. Quality of life is so important. I watch my aunt’s slow decline. A torture for her and for her three nieces. We all visit, but what hurts more is the number of residents in this place who are forgotten. Never receive visits from their relatives. Put in homes to die. You are quite right, the visits leave many mixed emotions. My Dad and my brother died in their early sixties, taken by cancer. That was hard, but I think it would have been more crippling to see them suffering like my aunt. I very much appreciate your thoughts. Thank you so much.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Geez, Chris. Your poetry tugs so hard on our heart strings.
We go through what you through with loved ones. We cannot help identifying with you.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks j. I can’t help writing about what hits my heart. I watch my aunt’s decline, I try to do my best for her. So many never get a visitor. Forgotten.

Chris