Weep For the Widow. - pipTalk Forums

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RSWells
Member Elite

since 2001-06-17

Posts 2533

0 posted 2002-10-08 07:52 AM

Her days start all the same and have for years,
TV, tea, Polychromic tabletop,
a rattle of the cat mix for she fears
no answer, her companion may have dropped,
but no the puss' stomach still has ears
a limping shag rug, this night no heart stopped,
the octogenarian slowly tears
long unseen six children she'd in youth adopt,

but soon the soothing voices from the tube,
a piece of toast, a purring cat, the Sun,
are bright enough to place her pain perdu
it's Tuesday and there's things that must be done.
There's the TV, the hotplate and her keys,
boots, bubushka, the threadbare woolen coat,
arthritic hands and crooked back disease
three hours work for bouillon and some oats,

the struggle of the door, the key, the stairs,
to drag her wheeled and wire chariot,
passers-by won't notice that she's there
so blind we are to age we bury it.
She's cursed for slowing traffic crossing streets,
draws stares for tying lines at grocery stores
and when her dangerous mission is complete,
thanks God for she's been cheated, robbed before.

Her days end all the same and have for years,
TV, tea, polychromic tabletop,
some prayers to the God that she reveres,
dreams; depression's childhood in a sweatshop,
her fathers drinking and her mothers fears,
politicians promises at whistle stops,
a farm once hammered by an auctioneer,
life whose end's vague promise is a mountaintop.

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

1 posted 2002-10-08 08:36 AM

Richard this is excellent - Our elderly are forgotten and swept under tattered carpets in cruel fashion. There should be better rewards for surviving so long in this world, shouldn't there? Nicely done, m'friend..

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean

since 1999-07-07

Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla

2 posted 2002-10-08 08:46 AM

RSWells
Well done and should be posted around as a reminder, enjoyed.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

3 posted 2002-10-08 08:52 AM

Richard..Your imagery here is fantastic.
I could picture the entire scene...wonderful.
And, the title reminded me of an old song..
"Willow Weep for Me."
This piece is very very special.
~Morning hugs~

~ Time has cast a spell on you
So you won't ever forget me ~

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

4 posted 2002-10-08 01:27 PM

You are a masterful raconteur! You truly are!

EA

brian madden
Member Elite

since 2000-05-06

Posts 4374
ireland

5 posted 2002-10-08 01:57 PM

POwerfully written, enjoyed.

El riesgo vive siempre!

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

6 posted 2002-10-08 02:18 PM

"the struggle of the door, the key, the stairs,
to drag her wheeled and wire chariot,
passers-by won't notice that she's there
so blind we are to age we bury it."
This is a scene too-oft repeated.
Well written, RS, with a full heart.

BloomingRose
Member Elite

since 2000-08-09

Posts 3092
Florida

7 posted 2002-10-08 02:32 PM

When youth escapes the elderly it seems there's nothing left but memories, but on the other side of the mountain... she knows there's more.
Really enjoyed your poem.

Deb

garysgirl

Member Laureate

since 2002-09-29

Posts 19237
Florida, USA

8 posted 2002-10-08 02:53 PM

Richard, this is such a good work. The compassion you have really stood out. We all need more compassion for our fellow human beings. Thank you for sharing your poetry with us.

Love To All,
Ethel

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

9 posted 2002-10-08 03:08 PM

What many have to look forward to. I think it is sadder for us than it is for them...

Irie
Senior Member

since 1999-12-01

Posts 1493
Washington State

10 posted 2002-10-08 03:15 PM

What can I say that the others haven't already said?

Excellent picture you've painted Sir.

~Sheri

"Don't wait for your ship to come in ...
Swim out to it"

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

11 posted 2002-10-08 04:05 PM

What a true art it is to paint such a vivid picture with words, and you did indeed paint a picture of sadness. I agree with Sy, try to get this out to other places Richard as a reminder to all, its extremely well done. Nice to see you writing at your very best these days, with a refreshed muse.

Take care.

Howdy Neighbour

Sharon

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

12 posted 2002-10-08 07:57 PM

An excellent read, Richard...thank you!

Sandpiper
Senior Member

since 2002-06-15

Posts 738
land of flora and fauna

13 posted 2002-10-09 07:52 AM

And there too, someday, I may be. Haunting and compelling.

GOlDsparklESS
Member

since 2001-12-13

Posts 428
central nj

14 posted 2002-10-09 02:17 PM

this is a well-done and respectful glimpse of the defilement of too many elders. i'm just sad because its so true. sigh.

[This message has been edited by GOlDsparklESS (10-09-2002 02:18 PM).]

Samantha G Kennedy
Member

since 2002-07-27

Posts 131
Kent England

15 posted 2002-10-10 08:37 AM

Richard ~ your pen served you well here, your expression is just simply outstanding!!

always a pleasure to read you

Sammie

^i^

scorpio
Member Ascendant

since 2002-10-02

Posts 5178
right...there

16 posted 2002-10-10 08:53 AM

Poignantly soul provoking write...thank you for throwing light on the shadows of life we often miss...or maybe choose to ignore.

...believe what your heart feels.....

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