navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #48 » Two Deaths in the Family
Open Poetry #48
Post A Reply Post New Topic Two Deaths in the Family Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2012-06-28 06:42 AM


stroke
struck twice in the family
both did not survive
both died
grief to the family

momma lay dying
in that hospital bed
each day going further and further away
her loveliness lost
to wrinkles and despair and sad, sad eyes
looking at us
demanding for us to do something
after five months she quit breathing
medical expertise
started her breathing again
to lie there
her eyes hating us all
after six more months of hell
she finally left this world

Scooter, our old three-legged dog
made out better
she only spent overnight
comatose
her eyes, as were momma's
asking us for help
the next day
we took her to this place
she was gingerly put upon a table
cried over, petted
told she was a good dog
and set free

©June 9, 2012 / Jerry Pat Bolton

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

© Copyright 2012 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2012-06-28 09:48 AM


It would be nice if "humanity" were as kind to humans, as it is to our four legged friends.




JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2012-06-28 10:07 AM


Yes, Karilea, that was exactly the point of the poem. Thank you.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

Startime1955
Senior Member
since 2012-04-22
Posts 1072
Alberta, Canada
3 posted 2012-06-28 11:21 AM


*sigh* how very sad that humans are made to suffer so much...I cried...*BIG HUGS*

*may our dreams ever be magical*

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
4 posted 2012-06-28 11:55 AM


Sorry for the tears, Karen, and thank you for the hug and for just being here.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

luminosity
Senior Member
since 2005-11-18
Posts 813

5 posted 2012-06-28 02:34 PM


oh gosh, this is the second karen you made cry with this one...
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
6 posted 2012-06-28 02:55 PM


Sorry, Karen #2, about making you cry, but thank you for reading and commenting, it is appreciated.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
7 posted 2012-06-28 04:29 PM


When I was sobbing over a beloved cat whose kidney failure had us there for that final appointment, the vet told me exactly what my kitty faced and how painful a "natural" death would be... and then continued "I wish someone could have given my mother the relief we're giving him." Having cared for my grandmother as she hung on 19 months in a vegetative state, I had to agree... some goodbyes are kinder than others.

Excellent, thought-provoking write!

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
8 posted 2012-06-28 04:39 PM


suthern, I am sorry to hear that about your grandmother. My wife and I had living wills which said not to keep us alive by machines. We used her of February 9, 2009 to relieve her of her agony. I fully expect someone to honor my wish when the time comes. Thank you for stopping by.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
9 posted 2012-06-28 04:52 PM


You touch upon an extremely important theme here, dear Jerry. Therapeuthic obstinacy is so wrong indeed.

The goodbyes are always sad, but to know that there is a way to "exit" which allows to shorten the sufferings helps to cope better. In Switzerland it is possible to make the decision and I approve of this possibility.

Compassionate write.

Margherita  

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
10 posted 2012-06-28 05:47 PM


Oh, of course I agree with you, Margherita, and as I told suthern I have a living will that says I do not want to be kept alive on mechanical life support. No way, no sir, indeed not. Thank you for your kind words.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

ebonygirl
Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000
California U.S.A
11 posted 2012-06-28 07:04 PM


We are in the "land of the free",
except when choosing
how we want our Soul to be
"Set free!"
Good write my friend, JP.
Ms. E

Margherita, Until the law changes here, I'm buying a
one way ticket to Switzerland.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
12 posted 2012-06-28 07:27 PM


Love you little poem, Ms. E, and I wish things were different here. I understand that there is temptation to abuse such a system, but on the whole I feel it should be our choice at the end. Thank you very much for being in my space this afternoon.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
13 posted 2012-06-28 07:44 PM


Comes to a point doesn't it, that being alive is no longer a gift but an extension of suffering.
This is sad but compassionate poem Jerry and I agree wholeheartedly with you on this point.
Thanks for sharing your feelings.

Eric

true love never looks after it's own interests

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
14 posted 2012-06-28 07:58 PM


And thank you, Eric, for sharing your feeling about this problem also. This is such a high-voltage problem, which encompasses religious and moral views, and at the same time the medical profession don't want the choice to be ours. Just look at all the money they make keeping poor people barely alive, just breathing with the help of their machines. They don't want to lose out on all that money.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

[This message has been edited by JerryPat2 (06-29-2012 09:35 PM).]

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
15 posted 2012-06-30 08:12 PM


Fine writing...James
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
16 posted 2012-06-30 09:08 PM


Fine comment...Jerry

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
17 posted 2012-07-10 05:21 PM


I couldn't agree more my friend.

Lori

Rosemary J. Gwaltney
Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997
northern mountains, Idaho
18 posted 2012-07-11 04:11 PM


A heartrending truth.  One death is the kind way.  Human deaths are not.  This is so wrong.  Thank you for sharing.

The spiritual wind that holds survivors aloft, plants the seeds from which bloom new hope ... R.J.G.


JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
19 posted 2012-07-11 04:27 PM


Thank you for being here, Rosemary, and of course I agree with your comments.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #48 » Two Deaths in the Family

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary