I wonder...

Drove past the care home where mum spent her last few years on this planet

I wonder how many of them, her friends, are still living
and who now inhabits her apartment,
and I wonder if that inhabitant too has a son who visits
to natter, clean the fridge, date check the food
and make tea whilst listening to oft' repeated words.
I also wonder if each time goodbyes are said
whether he thinks this may well be the last goodbye,
his last living memory of the one constant in his life
as death a more than regular visitor to God's waiting room,
calling without invitation to collect the last breath of all that live there.
And when that time comes, as it surely will,
I wonder if that son will be ready, prepared
for the heartbreak, the devastation and subsequent loneliness
that takes hold when hearing that news, those words.
I wonder because I wasn't, and near 5 years on
there is still an emptiness that memories cannot fill.

Author's Note

Was going to call this "lonely as a cloud" but didn't want "it's wander you knob" shouted at me:)

Reviews

[Poetic Beauty]

The loss of memory is in a way like a death itself and when the finality comes physically it is never truly expected and leaves a hole that resides and forever changes the world in which one lives. It leaves a hole that can be explained until you walk in that path.

[JessyJacob]

Dear Gee,
It takes brave heart, to write, you have written very well. i dont know how much costlier, but if I am you i would take her Kottakal ayurvedic treatment get her with therapies. dont think its last I feel women are more concerned about husband, and children and they do survive any illness. But sometimes seeing her sick, she loses hope, just we need to treat her as not sick and i would say i will keep her busy, Am i not talking more?
People live for years, together. People try to go only when it is difficult for them. But if we make mom more care, instead of outsiders.

Jessy Jacob.

[Betty Hermelee]

It's so difficult for any of us to prepare ourselves for the very end of life....even though we know it is coming closer; it is sad to watch a loved one wither away.... sometimes not even recognizing us... we wonder how we will exist without that special person in our lives... it surely it will be lonely and there will be much tidying up and paperwork to do...with all the knowledge of death, we still feel thst emptiness for years to come....very heartfelt piece Gee
Warmly, B