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

[petec3638]

Oh it is so close to our situation

[Chris Shaw]

Sorry Peter if this poem hit a nerve, I am currently watching the painful demise of my aunt. Life can be so cruel. Take care of yourself.

Chris