C.M.O.

sweet lies on 

morphine's tongue

to dull the pain

of this lie we live.

the one where we smile

while counting

and use bleeding teeth

and punctured lungs.

i say enough

to soothe my sorrows.

Reviews

[redzone]

Like the morphine drip, your poem drips sadness. You can eat all the ice cream you want, but it will not soothe or ease the dying. The pain may be gone but not the anguish that comes with death. And death is a MFer, stealing life and spreading sadness to all who witness this.

Sorry about my comment, but a few days ago a good friend passed. Her husband is besides himself, not able to process the loss. There was no need for morphine, she died almost instantly with a brain aneurysm. It was so sudden. How do you process loss like this??

Sorry again. In spite my comment, I enjoyed your poem and the need for C.M.O. Thank you for sharing.
-Curt

[Emunah June.]

The relationship with death is so complicated. Its necessary, but comes in so many forms and shapes that sometimes its hard to reconcile. Sometimes we get the chance to say goodbye. Sometimes, we dont. Sometimes its pain-free. Sometimes, it absolutely isnt. I am so so sorry for your loss, and I hope my poem didnt put you in any type of headspace.

[redzone]

Thanks, but no, I am old enough to have seen and experiences death. So my head is still firmly attached and straight. Besides I plan to live to be 150, so Death and I will become very close friends, I think. And yes, I agree, death is complicated, and unfortunately one sided.

Anyway, I had to reply to let you know my headspace is well and thriving and I hope my comment did not dissuade you from more poems like this. It was a good poem, sharp and needed to be said.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Emunah, I have missed you. You are my morphine. Explain the title please. MSB

[Emunah June.]

Hello sweet Michael! C.M.O is a hospital order for "Comfort Measures Only". It is an order given when a patient is expected to go through the natural dying process while keeping them as comfortable as possible.

[Michael Sun Bear]

I need those orders written for me!

[Emunah June.]

They use them for terminally ill patients when its decided nothing more curative can be done. Thats usually when you get dietary orders thrown out the window, you get snacks and food as much as you want, morphine for pain, music, etc . . . whatever, you name it, they just want you comfortable until you pass.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Yep, I definitely need those orders written for me!

[Emunah June.]

Well I pray youre not terminally ill, but, if you ever find yourself in that position, then it is an option.

[Michael Sun Bear]

We are all terminally ill, and those of us who have been living for many decades reach a place filled with loss, so much loss and sorrow and loneliness. I was joking with you on one level, but on another level I was seriously referring to the plight of the elderly. Ok let’s move on.