The man's stump
hangs at his side like a tuber.
He pushes his cart
and stands in line.
The stump is hairy, like an old man's ear.
I watch my mother
struggle from walker to bed,
the laborious lifting of a leg,
the settling in.
The collective exhale
when she opens her eyes
and smiles.
Written belatedly for the host of Friday Flash 55. Here's to hearth and home and lingering at the table. Have a good weekend.
18 comments:
Intense. Powerful writing.
-HA
hard. it is nice to see the relief in their eyes when they settle...life is def not easy for amputees....
H.A.
Thank you very much.
Brian,
Thank you.
Wonderful, sad.
Thanks for the Elmore Leonard reminders too. I am working on a novel right now--it is for young adults so I feel that the tags are more allowable, but maybe not. k.
Wonderful, sad.
Thanks for the Elmore Leonard reminders too. I am working on a novel right now--it is for young adults so I feel that the tags are more allowable, but maybe not. k.
This is a really powerful piece.
You really have given us something to think about & a reason to give thanks for every day of health we have in our life! We never know when something will change for us.
Your poem makes me realize how fortunate most of us are, Yvonne! Something we too often forget to be thankful for.
Manic,
Thank you and good luck with the novel. I would assume the dialogue tag rule applies with young adult too. But I'm no expert. Thanks for commenting.
Mama Zen,
Thanks!
Mary,
Thank you. I try to remember what Thanksgiving is all about. It's hard sometimes with all the flyers filling up the mailbox. They go right in the garbage but who needs all that paper waste?
Gabriella,
Thanks for commenting! I wonder where everyone else is...... Must be the weekend. I hope everyone is spending time with family and friends, baking and writing letters and decorating the mantle. Not "Shopping".
Yvonne...
YOU are never too late...:-)
Always top notch writing from you My Friend. Thank You for finding the time on this busy long week-end. You Are Wonderful!
Have a Kick Ass Week!
G-Man,
Thanks!
Powerful stuff alright!
Whew, Yvonne, what a poignant scene you created. Brought tears to my eyes reading about your mother....I remember it that way with my own. A great 55.
Wendy,
Hi! And thank you.
Lydia,
Thank you so much. I guess difficult times can produce poignant writing.
wow, that is some visual in the first verse. and the second is so vitally intimate ~
Grapeling,
Thank you so much. I really apreciate you commenting and I'm glad my little 55 struck a cord.
That smile really hits you in the gut, knowing how much has gone into it. Excellent.
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