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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Facing the Sun



A massive stillness envelopes his mind,  
A secret grief that lives in his marrow.
Through the window of memory
He still catches glimpses of her,
The scent of rosehips in her facial cream,
The clattering colors of her crocuses
Poking their resilient faces
Through the snow to face the sun,
But he does not recognize the woman
Who shared his bed for fifty-two years,
Who now visits his bedside
In the advanced care center daily,
Who still hopes that perhaps
Life will hand her husband
One more chance to flower
And face the sun.


~~~This poem was written in response to this week's prompt from The Sunday Whirl.

5 comments:

Marianne said...

This is a great line: "A massive stillness envelopes his mind,
A secret grief that lives in his marrow." My husband's mother struggled with Alzheimer's and you have captured it well. I loved "scent of rosehips in her facial cream." That was a brilliant use of the wordle word.

Jules said...

You have indeed captured this malady well. I too have seen people I love diminish. Those who support there spouses' and others even when, especially when they are not recognized are my heroes.
My wordle is here:
http://julesgemsandstuff.blogspot.com/2012/05/picturesque-sw-wordle-57.html

brenda w said...

Sad. Bleak. Hopeful that it won't hit our lives. Watching someone you love disappear into Alzheimer's is an interesting exploration. I love your poem. Love it.

Brian Miller said...

oh this stings a bit...the not recognizing her by his bed side...makes me sad...

Sherry Blue Sky said...

This is very touching and poignant!