End and Beginning
October sun streamed across your face
As you took your last breath.
Trapped in a hospital bed, surrounded by rails, unable to walk—
You were free at last.
And I was left behind.
When I shuffled toward the exit, the nurses barely glanced at me.
The room where you fought your battle needed cleaning,
The ground prepared for another
Fight for life.
Patients are interchangeable.
I trudged into the sunlight,
Into the dark,
Along the rocky path of widowhood,
Ringed by ghosts,
Pierced by memories.
Five years now I’ve walked alone
Maneuvered twists and turns.
Learned to stand upright.
Sturdier now, muscles forged in fire
And in ice.
5 comments:
Thank you for your thoughts in such a lovely poem.
Hospitals are such a sterile environment and I know it is hard to lose a loved one in such a place, away from the familiarity of home.
One point of comfort, perhaps, is though it seems the staff are isolated from the death of a patient, they still feel grief. I know as my wife works on the wards and I hear her sadness that is held at bay until she gets home.
There is so much soul and emotion in your writing. I can definitely feel you through your words.
Dafeenah
Please know that your writing has touched my heart..Thank you for sharing such a wonderful, heartfelt poem for us to share...
May you be surrounded by warmth and love...
See you for "G"...
http://timeforabucketlist.blogspot.com/
http://imagesinthought.blogspot.com/
http://the-old-story-tree.blogspot.com/
http://bagladythoughts.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Peter, for your comment. Makes me feel better even after all this time. Dafeenah, Margaret and Peter, I'm off to visit your blogs, too.
Your words are beautiful, haunting and heartfelt.
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