Yet another deeply moving poem from your heart, Gail. I could see the lady sitting there, content to travel in her memories of happier times. How unfortunate that they had to take her from the place she knew and loved. We can so easily misinterpret the silence. She sounded quite at peace to me.
This moved me especially because my daughter-in-law's mother is in this state. Thankfully living at home with an around the clock nurse looking after her. I visit most evenings around 6pm to pray with her. I look into her eyes as she stares at me and wonder what she's thinking.
A very powerful poem. It made me cry. I have not shed many tears since Mum died aged 98 in July this year, and this did the trick! The last verse is particularly poignant. Mum didn't have to go into "a home" which she dreaded.
Really evocative, Gail, and just perfect for this prompt.
Well done!
=)
December 1, 2012 at 12:08 AM
[Image]
Meet the challenge at Magpie Tales.
Enjoy visiting the entries.
Also check out Tess's poetry book on her blog.
[Image]
THE RED CHAIR
The empty house could speak.
You only had to listen.
Oh, the tales it told
Of happy times
Of people grown old.
The windows removed
And broken
They found her in the chair
They put her in a "home"
Cause all she did was stare.
The world inside her head
Still lived
Though no expression clear
Wetness on red velvet
No one saw the tears.
28 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formbeautiful, really it is. i sat and stared for a full minute before i scrolled down and nothing came to me...
November 25, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Wetness on velvet...no ones saw the tears. Drove that home perfectly.
November 25, 2012 at 11:05 AM
oh man...emotional...so sad to see them put in homes....esp when they may still be so active in their mind...her tears sting me...
November 25, 2012 at 11:18 AM
oh man...emotional...so sad to see them put in homes....esp when they may still be so active in their mind...her tears sting me...
November 25, 2012 at 11:18 AM
Beautiful and emotional.
November 25, 2012 at 11:28 AM
Wow. Very nice! This really tells the story!
November 25, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Yet another deeply moving poem from your heart, Gail. I could see the lady sitting there, content to travel in her memories of happier times. How unfortunate that they had to take her from the place she knew and loved. We can so easily misinterpret the silence. She sounded quite at peace to me.
November 25, 2012 at 1:06 PM
Sad...
November 25, 2012 at 1:39 PM
This moved me especially because my daughter-in-law's mother is in this state. Thankfully living at home with an around the clock nurse looking after her. I visit most evenings around 6pm to pray with her. I look into her eyes as she stares at me and wonder what she's thinking.
November 25, 2012 at 2:36 PM
An example of good writing - and quite moving.
November 25, 2012 at 3:12 PM
You have brought so much imagery and emotion into your poem. It's lovely - it probably hits me even harder as I deal with my dad.
November 25, 2012 at 5:45 PM
Lovely piece, Gail. ♥
We used to have a P Green Chair... ;o)
November 25, 2012 at 7:06 PM
A sad tale, indeed. Oh, if rooms could talk.
November 25, 2012 at 7:24 PM
The aged that suffer in silence...... your poem is so beautifully worded. I love the symbolism of the chair. Thank you for sharing this, Gail.
November 25, 2012 at 8:12 PM
So much goes on beneath the silence we see.
I always wonder what's behind the stare.
Lovely, compassionate write
November 25, 2012 at 8:16 PM
Beautiful and touching Gail...
November 25, 2012 at 8:23 PM
Sad story and well written . Have a good day !
November 25, 2012 at 8:26 PM
A bitter truth. But sweet her memories may have been.
Blessings
November 25, 2012 at 9:41 PM
Oh and yes those tears could be felt! What a truthful tale of life and memories closing in.
November 25, 2012 at 11:24 PM
This is quite touching Gail, amazing what you get from an empty chair. Kudos.
November 26, 2012 at 6:13 AM
This brings tears to my eyes... so touching.
November 26, 2012 at 8:05 AM
..yes..touching in every stokes... you've delivered a tough, sad piece in here... Great write.
November 26, 2012 at 9:13 AM
Gail, your poem is touching and sad and beautifully composed.
November 26, 2012 at 10:13 AM
A very powerful poem. It made me cry. I have not shed many tears since Mum died aged 98 in July this year, and this did the trick! The last verse is particularly poignant. Mum didn't have to go into "a home" which she dreaded.
November 27, 2012 at 3:36 AM
Really moved by this life unfolding..sad and beautiful...
November 27, 2012 at 5:37 PM
sad...beautifullll..nicely done
November 27, 2012 at 9:13 PM
Houses absorb energies...take on personalities of their own...nice write...
November 28, 2012 at 10:43 AM
Really evocative, Gail, and just perfect for this prompt.
Well done!
=)
December 1, 2012 at 12:08 AM