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Nursing Home Eyes
| Open Poetry #8 |
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Nursing Home Eyes |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
Nursing Home Eyes... (For Mildred) Look into my window, Observe synthetic flowers Swaying to a ceiling fan breeze, And a wallflower, wheelchair- bound at that. For hours I look out I see concrete, undernourished shrubs, Cars and bikes rush by And they keep me company. Faded draperies Speak for years that have fallen behind me. Suddenly a slave to nostalgia And withered memories. Do you see the photographs on my vanity? Notice how they stare back at me With abstract smiles for the elderly. I know they are too busy. Everyone has his own life to live. I understand! Hey . . . would you look into my world? Share a thought? I know you have no time to visit. Yes I am still here, Alone, but alive. Todd-Michael Phillips |
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| © Copyright 2000 Todd-Michael Phillips - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
Just a Note: Mildred is my adopted grandmother, she will be 93 on July 30th! Happy Birthday Millie! |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
and a Happy Birthday from serenity too...this reminded me of a Joan Baez song, from Diamonds and Rust---think the title is "Hello In There..." This touched my heart, as your love is very much apparent...thank you. |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
That means alot to me because I love Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell as well, they tend to influence my writing quite a bit, & always have, such enduring voices of social conscience... Thanx Serinity! [This message has been edited by Toddles (edited 07-26-2000).] |
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Tallulah Junior Member
since 2000-07-25
Posts 28 |
Another nice one Todd, captures the situation perfectly! Happy Birthday Millie! |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Todd, this is excellent writing.... |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
I am VERY appreciative of your imput Balladeer! Thank You!!! |
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Butterflies_dont_cry Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733Michigan |
Todd* This brought tears to my eyes......how many times I recall I was "busy"...I learned from regret...and will never be to busy again. You wove the tenderness and sadness of growing old alone into a beautiful poem~ |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
Butterflies aren't supposed to cry BDC... but I do know the pain of regret and "If Only" Oh too well, I wasn't there as much I wish I could have been for my REAL grandmother & instead of lingering in the past and beating myself up, I decided to do what I can in the present & this Lady "Millie" has no one because she has out- lived everyone in her family, and when they had an adopt-a-grandparent day here a couple of years ago I knew I wanted to be part of it and do what I could for the NOW & that brings a great deal of healing and personal reward! Just thought I would share that with you... I am keeping all of the comments POSTED here & I am going to print them out for Mildred & bring them to her to read, because I know she will be interested in what comments have come about as a result of this poem! Thank you for feeling what I intended & hoped would be felt from this poem!!! This ONE especially has a place in my heart!!! |
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Butterflies_dont_cry Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733Michigan |
In light of your above posted comment..... Happy Birthday Millie.......so much your eyes have seen, many congratulations~~ |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
Cool... She will appreciate your well-wishes BDC!!!! |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
Hey... BDC I just read a wonderful poem by you & left you a message! It was a powerful poem! |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
Todd...first HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA MILLIE... this is a great write Todd...I lost my granny and it still hurts every day and to see this just makes me glad I had her aslong as I did. never say never |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
Paula, I relate 100% to what you're saying, I miss my REAL grandmother something terrible! I know this poem is a bit heavy on the melancholy, my intention was to depict a certain listlessness that sometimes seems to exist in these situations. I cherish your comments & feelings shared! |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
Back up so a few more folks can read "Millie's Poem" Thank You All for the Birthday Wishes!!! |
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Tallulah Junior Member
since 2000-07-25
Posts 28 |
Yes it is sad the way our society here puts old people out to pasture, most of all they pretend they are doing the elderly a favor by doing so, but what comes around goes around if they live long enough to be old themselves, they'll be discarded too! We should take a lesson from the Chinese on how to value, respect and treat our senior Citizens!!! (Sounding Off!) Sorry... Still a GREAT poem! [This message has been edited by Tallulah (edited 07-27-2000).] |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
Tallulah, I agree completely, well said! |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
A wonderful tribute to Millie! It's sad that so many are forgotten... |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Sadly, all too true, Todd. Very well written. Welcome to the forums! Denise |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
Poet deVine: As always I am grateful for your reply! Denise: Thanks for the read, much appreciated! |
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Eloise Senior Member
since 1999-11-27
Posts 1096Wyoming |
Happy Birthday Mildred. Wonderful writing Todd.  [This message has been edited by Eloise (edited 07-27-2000).] |
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N2Wishin Junior Member
since 2000-07-27
Posts 38 |
I agree with Eloise, this one has my vote! |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Toddles, You brought back so many memories with this writing. Some good, some not so good. The pen in your hand, or the keyboard it is, writes very well. |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
Eloise: Many thanks!!! N2Wishin: As always much appreciated! Bill: You always say the nicest things! |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
A very touching poem. Corinne |
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MissMilli Junior Member
since 1999-08-31
Posts 24 |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
This is a wonderful piece of writing, and a great tribute to your grandmother. I'm sure she has contributed a great deal to your life - appreciating that is a great thing, Todd..  |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
Corinne: Thank you for the reply!!!!!!! MissMilli: Beautiful, and MUCH appreciated, I'm going to print these messages out on a color printer for sure!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
As always Nan... Cyber-Hugs!!!!!!!! |
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N2Wishin Junior Member
since 2000-07-27
Posts 38 |
An Official Happy Birthday Mildred!!!! JULY 30th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
This touched me deeply Todd ... if only we could turn back the clock and not rush through this world forgetting our most important and cherished treasures. Beautiful reminder to not take life and loved ones for granted! Best wishes, /Kit |
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Toddles Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396New Orleans, Louisiana |
Well stated Kit & I thank you! |
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