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Mother Hubbard's Troubles


her memories
herself
all that she is, sits 
nervously
on the back hall shelf
twice daily
there is an inventory 
of her precious collection
a fretful, careful,
tedious inspection 
she scours the house
on a mission to fill
“China stolen in broad daylight,
Lord as my judge!” 
she shrills
around familiar faces
her frustration increases
for surely they know 
the whereabouts
of her missing pieces
“oh please stop this thievery ”
she pleas, clutching a candle
alarmed at
the disinterest
in this terrible scandal 
rest now,
mother
come sit with me
we’ll talk of the weather
and what a lovely spring it will be

aren't the roses magnificent
this time of year
she smiles politely
her mind wound 
around the fear
of her memories
herself 
all that she is
is disappearing so disturbingly
from the back hall shelf

Comments

  1. Why does this make me sad? Sigh. Memories lost to time's haze, medication, shadows...and nothing to take their place.

    Still...you did leave hope...and hope springs eternal...

    Shade and Sweetwater,
    K

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  2. The poem or the closet, either one I can handle, but when you put them together it just feels so sad....

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  3. Rene, I love your writing style, but this piece is astounding. I love the connection of the visual with the written words...
    Beautiful and haunting, this one will stay with me for a long time to come.

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  4. I didn't set out to write such a sad piece. It is just that Alzheimer's is reality in our lives now. To see a family member suffer through the loss of bits and pieces of her life, and seeing her rage against it, with such desperation...and seeing how other family member react towards it...

    As a family member/care giver it can be frightening, annoying, comical, it can anger you, frustrate you...it can be all of these things. It is important to exercise compassion and consider for a moment what it would be like to trade places.

    Peace - Rene

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  5. wow...
    the picture
    quietly speaks volumes.

    poetic words, as well, Rene.

    peace~

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  6. First of all.... This is what happens when I get an actual day off...... I find yet more Brilliant, gotta have 'em, gotta add them to my blogroll, bloggers....

    Amazing..... You are amazing....

    Second..... I got a day off from my job as a CNA/ also brand new Med Tech/ in a busy nursing home...

    So this piece really, really, touched me..... I don't know you... But I feel compelled to say.... KEEP WRITING!

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  7. this is so powerful..and bittersweet. Great post.

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  8. Wow very poignant. I know how you feel. I've lost a lot of my family to that disease.

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  9. Thank you all for your comments...
    Thank you to all who sent me such lovely thoughts via email...

    I have to respond to them here as I am having trouble with some email addresses

    We are all OK and I am not sad, poetry and writing is the way I can most effectively get through whatever it is that I'm going through.
    Everyday isn't a bad day, in fact, most are good.
    The bad ones just get the most attention...isn't that always the way? :)

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  10. Girl, this breaks my heart. Seriously.

    I feel for you guys.

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  11. Oh very poignant and expressive. Great job.

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  12. Rene, your poetry is hearbreakingly beautiful and accessible.

    My mind often cant put poetry together coherently enough for me to appreciate it.

    xo

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  13. Nicely done! Best wishes to you and your family. I'm sure you are a comfort.

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  14. your words provoke rich sentiments.
    very stunning imagery.
    Happy Sunday!
    Glad to see you at poets united.

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  15. Oh this is so touching - the more so since I read your explanation of the family member with Alzheimers........wonderfully written. I love the last couple of lines "surely they know the whereabouts of her missing pieces." Stunning.

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  16. You hit the nail on the head on this piece...the brain so fragile, it holds all the treasures of a lifetime...sad to think them stolen by a silent disease..great photo to go with it too...bkm

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  17. Such an emotional poem. I can sure understand your frustration even if you let it go by now.

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  18. Rene, I'm reading your poem here in the Poetry Pantry. I don't know if I have it right, but I picture a person with Alzheimers searching for her memories. Scary, poignant. Well written. So many Mother Hubbards in this world.

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  19. A piece of the past gone forever; heartbreaking.

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  20. Brilliant, very emotional, you chose all the right words
    Kx

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  21. Without reading your additional comments, this could easily speak of a general feeling of being lost or ageing.

    It is a very powerful piece, filled with frustration.

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  22. A very realistic subject covered within your words.
    I like your sentiments very much.

    Eileen :)

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  23. Excellent, as always!
    The final line is quite moving.

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  24. Excellent, as always.
    The final line is especially moving.

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