Lily sits in a high back chair
her vacant eyes stare into limbo
soft music plays in the background
her ears do not hear the notes
she has a pink scarf at her throat
hiding her wrinkled skin
on her chest her baby rests
snuggled in a shawl
a mother’s tenderness
can’t be mistaken
her thin fingers caress that child
with delicate slow movement
over and over again
and no one can prise that doll
from her even though
the lunch bell rings
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Author:
Cassie58 (
Offline) - Published: December 3rd, 2024 04:53
- Comment from author about the poem: The Oaks Residential Home
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 71
- Users favorite of this poem: Teddy.15, Tristan Robert Lange, aDarkerMind, Qurrathul Ain
Offline)
Comments10
Cassie, this poem presents strong contrast between an infant in arms and an aging mother. The image I get is one of a very hard life for a woman who gives birth up through her later years. This seems to have taken a toll in her stare and tuning out of even the sound around her. Her mission is to take care of the child and that is all. Mother’s take care of their young at their own expense and to their last ounce of strength. Wonderfully written.
Thank you so much Soren, your thoughts are very much valued.
Hey Cassie, this poem is a moving tribute to the enduring power of love and the human need for connection, even in the face of aging and cognitive decline. It invites its reader to reflect on the complexities of memory and identity and the small, tender moments that define our humanity. Much enjoyed!
You sum up this poem beautifully. You captured the full meaning of what I witnessed and I appreciate that arqios. It was a very moving moment. Thank you.
You are most welcome Cassie 🙂
Beautifully written tender and sensitive poem, Thank you Cassie
Thank you Tobani. It was very much a sensitive moment. Touched me greatly.
Your review is warmly appreciated.
You are very welcome
Wow! The ending! Wow! I have been in this situation, visiting with people in memory support caring for a doll like baby. Nothing, not even severe memory loss, can take a true mother’s love or faith away. This poem brought tears to my eyes friend. Bless you for expressing this. 🙏❤️
Thank you Tristan your comments here are very much appreciated. This moment to witness, was beautiful and touching and showed what strength there is in maternal love.
It sure does! I am really thankful for your capturing it. In my time at the CCRC I worked at years ago, I saw many such people forgotten about by people who were once their friends in independent living, let alone some people are even abandoned by family members. The latter, I cannot wrap my head around, but the former, I believe has a lot to do with psychology: people are afraid to watch decline because they are close to it themselves. You’ll hear, “Oh it’s a shame”, but then they never go to visit. So tragic and, ultimately, selfish.. Your poem, in my mind, really shows the purpose…the love…the HUMANITY…of such a person in decline. Simply beautiful, Cassie, and I felt I need to provide context here to explain why I find this particular poem to be so important.
Thank you Tristan. That means a great deal. I go to visit my 92 year old aunt every week. I am her next of kin, plus my two sisters. It hurts to see so many of these poor souls with no one to visit. A hug costs nothing. That’s the least I can do. I have written more poems about the residents. I might post a couple more in the future.
Excellent! Amen Cassie! You my friend, are a beautiful soul! God bless you! 🙏❤️
A sensitive write C.
Thank you Orchi, for stopping by.
Your beloved Mother, your imagery has let me meet Lily, a very precious name for me too, how sad to see the end of our mum's yet also a magnificent gift if we think about it deeply, mine died at work very suddenly. Gorgeous write dearest Cassie. ❤️
Dear Teddy, sorry to hear how you lost your mum. The suddenness must have been awful for you. Lily is not my mum, she is resident in a residential home I visit. I captured this moment, and it moved me greatly, both beautiful and reassuring as well. Thank you for a lovely review. Have a beautiful day 🌹
Awe well beautifully written about lily from the residential home, my mother was called Eileen ❤️
Thank you dear Teddy and good morning. May you always have beautiful thoughts and memories of your mother, Eileen. My mum was called Patricia. Much missed. Have a lovely day 🌹
Have a wonderful day. 🌹
An admirable depiction of a mother's love, brings out hope in me. Nice work.
Many thanks Dan for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. All good wishes.
Wonderful meaningful words soren, love is ageless.
Andy
Thank you Andy for stopping by. Have a good day.
a very touching write Cassie.
and one I shall store and read many more times.
That is a lovely thing to say Melvin. Thank you so much.
you have painted a sad but tender message - one can visualize it so clearly.. touched my heart
Thank you Safina for your beautiful thoughts. It was a memorable moment.
Thank you.
you are most welcome - those who left us always leave behind a part of them in our hearts and memory
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