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Open Poetry #12
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Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware

0 posted 2001-01-17 09:46 PM


It’s another world
One the healthy seldom see
You can watch Chicago Hope
Be a fan of ER –
Never see this
Unless you’re a care giver
Or receiver

It’s where the sick go
To prolong life
They sit in Barcaloungers
For hours watching
Deadly chemicals
Drip slowly into their bloodstream

Or dressed in a hospital gown
For their visit
They lay on a plastic table
Watching technicians
Carefully setup shields
To focus radiation
On select body parts

Some come wearing wool skullcaps
Others wheel oxygen tanks before them
Shuffling in for treatment
Most are very thin
Most are quite old
Or do they only look it

Some cases are extra sad
The young couple
They look as though they’re here
To see the Ob-Gyn
Then you see she’s wearing a Hickman

In the corner a lady is
doing a jigsaw puzzle
Over there the lady with the book
overflowing that big chair
reads and frets – she’s missing her soap

Conversations among the regulars
Are cheerful, almost jovial
The new ones still wear their fears
On their faces, in their stance
And how they talk.

Mary picked up some brochures
Support groups for breast cancer
What does Taxoteer do

She looks at the nurse
“These don’t tell you
what to expect
once it has spread”
There’s a momentary pause
“Your doctor can tell you about that”

Eyes return to their books
And puzzles.



Great souls have wills; feeble ones have only wishes.

~ Chinese Proverb ~


© Copyright 2001 Wilfred Yeats - All Rights Reserved
catalinamoon
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone
1 posted 2001-01-17 09:49 PM


Oh what a take on the sadness within the hospitals and cancer centers. As someone who has worked in the medical field, I know where you are coming from here. It is so hard to see, this lonely vigil with nothing good to come. Bravo for pointing out this pain in such a feeling way.
Sandra

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
2 posted 2001-01-17 09:56 PM


I went to the hospitals with my mother....now, I don't get to go to the centers...I read the records and summarize them for lawsuits....one came very close to home for me....I got too involved....I cried....

I still cry....

and then I pray....

and then I pray one more time....

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
3 posted 2001-01-17 10:47 PM


Bill--Pat told me about the cancer center she went to, and you have described it so well...the hope, the fear, the friendships that come from experiencing the same fright and hope...very well done, my friend...hugs!
SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
4 posted 2001-01-18 12:39 PM


WY~ this is so sad and very hard to read......yet you wrote beautifully.....hugs   -SEA
doreen peri
Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
5 posted 2001-01-18 09:10 AM


"These don’t tell you
what to expect
once it has spread"

.... i'm crying....

this is a prolific and important piece of work...

Victoria
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Ascendant
since 2000-08-12
Posts 5869

6 posted 2001-01-18 09:36 AM


You penned it well bill..HUGS

                ~V~


A poem is never finished, only abandoned.
- Paul Valery (1871-1945)



Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
7 posted 2001-01-18 02:27 PM


Sandra-
I believe you see things as I do. One cannot 'be there' and not see it as it is - Thank you

Karilea -
a lot of prayers are needed - Maybe a refocus on finding cures - instead of so much on 'treatment'  Thank You

Martie -
When I think of the years of study on cancer - and how far we still have to go - I want to scream - Thank you

SEA -
Such a reader you are - I dearly wish I had the time to read more of PiP's varied tapistry Thank you

Doreen -
You keyed in on the very phrase I hoped people would recognize - I've read those brochures - They DO NOT  discuss cancer after it has spread. I cry too. thank you

Victoria-
Thank you friend ~S~

Charisma
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Ascendant
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906
lost in blue pages
8 posted 2001-01-18 02:40 PM


sad....real sad.....you touched my heart.
well written piece with depth.

Charisma

Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
9 posted 2001-01-18 02:49 PM


OK sir now that I can see to type...this is a tender emotional look at everyday life for a cancer patiient...or any patient who requires constant care like this...thank you sir for this look into the real world
Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
10 posted 2001-01-18 09:05 PM


Charisma-
Yes - it is sad - and I think sadder than it needs to be - Thank You

Paula-
Until now - I thought Alzeheimers patients were the saddest - Thank You

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