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Open Poetry #28
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Some Kind Of Madness (Serenity's People Watching Challenge)
| Open Poetry #28 |
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Some Kind Of Madness (Serenity's People Watching Challenge) |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada 
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This is indeed about a very real person, and is for Serenity's people watching poetry challenge. It is just sad there are so many victims of this disease who don't get a poem. Ben got moved from regular care to restrained care over the weekend, so sad, so very sad when this happens.  Some Kind Of Madness Today was a new day, a new place, And I was so nervous for the first time. I loved this man, and knew in my heart This change would be his sentence to death. His, shellacked, and life-cracked skin Appeared to form somewhat of a grin. As one bony finger, so long ago useful Trembled its way up the wall to find it. So many levels of history on that wall. His life lined that sterile surface like an old quilt. Scenes of picnics, family portraits, ships, Now so dusty and faded with time hung there. We watched as some recollection now took him, Reflections of his joy long past now seen clearly In the face of the photo he looked at. I swore he smiled, if only for only an instant. His daughter whispered, as if he could not hear, “Once his memory shone as the stars in heaven, His stories filled our hearts with such love. Oh how we so miss the days of his youth repeated.” I said, “Well why not share them with him now? Take him there once more in bits and pieces.” She didn’t understand, and said, “I do all I can do to just visit him.” I had heard this so many times before. Today, in disinfected, striped pajamas, His slippers on wrong feet, He perused his new surroundings Then…he reached the bars on the window And his head dropped into his hands in a sob. His daughter swiftly knelt at his feet But Ben’s head would not rise up I knew in my heart, How could it? They'd finally taken the last thing he owned. Ben usually walked out into the night Not knowing where he was going or why really. Some followed him in search of What no one knows, but they went anyway. There are some that say Each night he remembered her face. What was construed as some kind of madness Was really Ben, and his wife of 60 years, Dancing on the lawn under the moonlight. Tonight he sits in front of that window, Knowing in his fractured mind, He will never leave that room, but, Perhaps she will find him tonight? Each time I cut his hair, I tell him stories. Antics of my granddaughters, the cat, the news. Today, there was not one single story in me, I was too filled with sorrow and anger, At some kind of madness. For Ben Sure, I wear rose-colored glasses, makes everything just rosey. Carpe' Diem [This message has been edited by Mysteria (08-19-2003 06:54 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2003 Mysteria 1997 - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Wind
since 2002-10-12
Posts 2981 |
seriously, such a heartwrenching story. I must keep it insanity is not a crime |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Karen asked for a character study of sorts on another human being, and I thought of Ben whose hair I cut on Monday. I volunteer with seniors in long term cair. He unfortunately got moved from "normal" care in the the rest home, to "secured", and yes, it is terribly sad, and true. There is an entire floor of those long gone into their own worlds. Wind, thank you so much for the kind words. [This message has been edited by Mysteria (08-19-2003 03:01 PM).] |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Sharon this is solid gold, and your heart is a treasure my friend. "So many levels of history on that wall." Sad, and beautiful, you have portrayed Ben with the grace and dignity that he deserves. I'm speechless, here. I'm keeping this. (I'm keeping YOU, too.  ) |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Give me the whole box, dear... the whole damned box. I only wish Ben could see this, just once. Bless you. |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Sharon, I love you, Lady. This story shows your kindness and your compassion in your heart. A quartet that I used to sing with visited the nursing home a lot to sing for the patients. This brought back a lot of the memories from there. I always cried after I left from there. I tried to keep a smile on my face for them...if I could. Thanks for the kleenex...I need them.... Hugs to you and Ben  Ethel [This message has been edited by garysgirl (08-19-2003 03:14 PM).] |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
... What Karilea said... and pass the kleenex please. ~Tight hugs dear poetess~ ~The breeze that kissed you on the face, |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Karen you better keep me you are stuck with me  What a way to enter your challenge, will try to find a happier person this week how's that?Ethel, you are a treasure you know that? Karilea, and Enchantress, I tried to put the kleenix there as it is not so happy is it, but sometimes the truth never is. Thank you both so much. |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
I wish Ben could see this too. This is beautifully heartwrenching Sharon. Sighhh, I have no words. Maree. fate is not just |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I think you should ask if you can post it at the senior facility. Maybe family members will get something out of it before their parents/grandparents get to Ben's floor. Well done..and with such heart. Who can keep the tears back with this one. Certainly not I. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Maree thank you kindly, yours was awesome! Sharon, every time I write of someone at Evergreen I do ask permission, and they go into a book in the sitting room for all to read, with other books done by the residents themselves, but I thank you for the suggestion. I have written about many patients there, but in all honestly, nothing changes, nothing! |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Sharon Amazing tug of heart here, and this view of Ben with your words, shows the beauty and grandeur of yours. |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Sharon, I had to stop reading in the middle of this as I couldn't see through tears. Beautiful dear lady..beautiful. Chris "Hope" is the thing with feathers |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Martie, even the coldest heart would warm around these people, trust me. Chris, sorry - you are not the only one who cried believe me, I couldn't stop for a long time. Thanks for reading this. |
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BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
The love and beauty in your words are endless Sharon. However sad this was to read, you warmed my heart in a special way. Thank you for sharing all sides of humanity here. Many hugs for you~ |
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Ringo
since 2003-02-20
Posts 3684Saluting with misty eyes |
Your love and sadness make this a truly beautifull write. He was lucky to have you in his life. We are all equal but we’re individually different |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Sharon, this is heartwrenching . . . Bless your sweet soul for being by his side. I do understand this, being in the medical field . . . saw many people who were uncared for and often someone like me, during a routine visit . . . they would sit and tell me of their lives and I would smile and laugh and ask questions. I do miss that This made me smile though because it reminded me of my uncle: His slippers on wrong feet, I have seen this so much and I smiled so thank you Beautiful write from a pure soul Ben will be as good as he can with you by his side . . . xxoo |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
It is wonderful to see comments from people who understand the plight of seniors, especially those somewhat disabled. To have empathy for them is so easy, but to overcome that and treat them like they were before their change is the hard part, as I witness time and time again with their families Thank you so very kindly for reading this one, it is special to me. |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Just read this and found it so beautiful and sad. Families do have a hard time caring for parents or other family members in this situation.I used to care for a few elderly and remember well. Two lived in our court. I thought it would be wonderful if the two daughters just exchanged mothers. That way each could give the best care. I found it easy to listen to the stories and go along with whatever they told me. But the daughters had a hard time because the mothers were treating them like strangers and it was hard for them. I also saw many in homes who were neglected and the family said, "well it is too hard to go and see them this way". So sad.Thinking of themselves again..... |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I hope you don't mind me bumping my own poem, as I know that is just so rude but I wanted to get it handy for this man's daughter to find. That tough old bird Ben stayed there in that ward until 5:00 p.m. yesterday, where I was told he died peacefullly with a smile on his face. I like to think he and his wife finally found each other. What a devastating disease this is, the worst for the elderly that I have ever seen anyway. So hard on the family as a whole. Thank you, and to Linda, God bless you all in your time of loss. |
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