Wordle: recommend, happening, cabinet, cafe, shelter, sturdy, handle, peanuts, fern, job, guide, score, face
(Image from the internet)
After a while…
The ringing stops
Silence takes over
She walks the halls
Crowded with memory
Hard to distinguish
Past from present
Mind as empty as
Her dance card
Unaware of what is happening
She paws through her cabinet
Of broken dreams
Seeks shelter in familiar places
Unknown to her
No longer able to handle
The requirements of daily life
Her step no longer sturdy
The cafe where she worked
Forgotten
She grasps the handle of her walker
Stumbles on peanuts
That are not there
Jimmy Carter waters the fern
How to keep score
How to find the guide
What is recommended
A difficult job
By any standard
The face of the old
Turns inward
End of life a mystery
annellannell 
this is a bit of scary time of life…when things seem to be failing you…even betrayed by your own body in many ways as you age….the jimmy carter ref made me smile…
This is so sad and scary…well written, Annell.
I don’t understand the Jimmy Carter line? As for the poem, old age and loosing our independence is not for the faint of heart, is it?
I was talking about the confusion. Tripping on peanuts that aren’t there, Jimmy Carter waters the fern. (Who are those people? Nursers coming and going, she doesn’t know, who they are. Think she lives with lots of people, some known (Jimmy Carter) some unknown.) You said it well…. Annell Livingston HC 74 Box 21860 El Prado, NM 87529
annell@taosnet.com http://www.annelllivingston.com http://www.somethingsithinkabout-annell-annell.blogspot.com https://annellannell.wordpress.com
I think Jimmy Carter represents the loss of short-term memory versus long-term. Very touching, real piece. A stage I’m not looking forward to…
So in the moment for our family as one of our elders, while still very independent is doing so with less and less…The latest the loss of some sight. Still sharp in some regards, but not so willing to do certain routine things that are simple yet challenging.
Elders are special too.
Thanks for your visit.
I think that I am becoming the woman you describe so well…
Whirling with Robert Bly
We will each have our turn. Thanks for your comment. Annell Livingston HC 74 Box 21860 El Prado, NM 87529
annell@taosnet.com http://www.annelllivingston.com http://www.somethingsithinkabout-annell-annell.blogspot.com https://annellannell.wordpress.com
That last stanza is very compelling, Annell. And I love: “cabinet Of broken dreams.” Cabinet was difficult; could not fit it in my poem. You have written a touching poem about the end stage of life.
‘her mind as empty as her dance card’ is a great line, though incredibly sad. Love the peanut reference to Carter
This is a very touching poem–and I fully understood the Jimmy Carter reference. Excellent, scary and sad.
Sad, but true-to-life…
Vivid description…
A place I am sure none of us want to go, Annell. Very sad, but well written.
Pamela
If we live long enough, we will find ourselves there, too. Don’t trip on peanuts! Annell Livingston HC 74 Box 21860 El Prado, NM 87529
annell@taosnet.com http://www.annelllivingston.com http://www.somethingsithinkabout-annell-annell.blogspot.com https://annellannell.wordpress.com
It’s like the end is a series of small losses..things that disappear from our day which once filled them..somehow makes it sadder..although beautifully written..jae
Dear Jae Thank you so much for you comment. Annell Livingston HC 74 Box 21860 El Prado, NM 87529
annell@taosnet.com http://www.annelllivingston.com http://www.somethingsithinkabout-annell-annell.blogspot.com https://annellannell.wordpress.com