Holding On

an august birthday
finds auntie out of this world
within a communal lounge
in the company of
other wanderers and sleepers

comfy with cushions
oblivious today’s cake
will mark 91 anniversaries
since her Hammersmith birth

her memory shot to pieces
though she recalls every
minute detail of evacuation
during the war

her lips tremble

the blitz bombings
separated from parents
to live with strangers
at the tender age of seven

i spy clouds in her eyes
she drifts to no man’s land
a tear rolls and then another
she weeps in silence

before she blinks
to return to the land
of the barely living
to the only family remaining
in what has been a reclusive
and sad life

Reviews

[Perdition]

"I spy" clouds in her eyes"
What a slow and methodically painful woe of times to come. It greets us all and makes fools of those who waste time where beauty is not a real thing. It's all recorded in the lost eyes. The most glorious of all happenings is truly the hanging of hands from generation to generation. Beautifully sad write Chris ~

[Chris Shaw]

Hopefully, not all of us will end or days with clouds in our eyes. She led a reclusive existence, had no children. It is painful to watch. The hanging of hands from one generation to another is priceless. Having the blessings of family and friends enriches our lives so much. It is a sad write but I thank you for stopping by to share your thoughts. Have a beautiful weekend Perdition.

Chris

[Perdition]

Absolutely my pleasure Chris, an amazing tribute.

[Chris Shaw]

Too kind you are :)

[Vol]

Chris,
Who knows the consequences of young trauma? It doesn't end there, all remaining time colored by those scars. And all the rest of it piled on by intervening times of pain, hardship, joys, and sorrows. What real life was lead inside her mind, my mind, our minds, to bring us to the time of dieing before the hourglass is finished?
Vol

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Vol. I think her early trauma had a huge influence over the rest of her life sadly. I appreciate your thoughts. All the best. Thank you.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

a very appropriate title for this poignant piece....how many people struggle to be 91 and have awareness;
not many .....you have written honestly about aging and what it does to the mind.... to others who love... the family surrounds, and tries to make this a happy occasion, when they know its fruitless....to live a reclusive life is only for the faint-hear-ted....and maybe the end will be a blessing...
Well crafted Chris...
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Betty for leaving such a considered review. Your thoughts always much appreciated. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome dear Chris
Hope you’re weekend was pleasurable
Warmly, B

[red93]

Very poignant Chris and how many of that generation have had hard and difficult lives with little reward for their selflessness and sacrifices. Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony. Forgive late response, I am trying to shake COVID off at the mo. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[red93]

Oh dear Chris - Get Well Soon my dear Friend. I will say a Prayer for you.

[Chris Shaw]

You are so kind Tony. Thank you my friend.

[Weeping willow]

Such relatable words, often happens as love declines one climb within to survive ;-} Nicely expressed

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my friend. Always appreciate your visits and your wisdom. Have a good weekend.
read moreThank you my friend. Always appreciate your visits and your wisdom. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Sharrumkin]

Nicely done. My own mother lived through the Blitz so I can identify with your aunt's memories. As you grow older the past often becomes your present.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your visit and sharing your own experience. Have a good weekend. All the best.
read moreMany thanks for your visit and sharing your own experience. Have a good weekend. All the best.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

It sounds like a classic case of dementia. Auntie's memory is in tatters, at least for recent things, but she can recall the Luftwaffe blitz quite well. Her life sounds like that of many confined to nursing facilities, and it is not one many of us would like to live. There are worse things than assisted suicide.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks John. Yes, she has advanced dementia and it is painful to watch her go through this. I appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.

Chris

[Lorry]

Yes Chris. It is almost like they stop living before their time and placed somewhere where the reaper knows well, ready to shuffle off with their slippers and jamjams.... Until you mention you read in the paper that a world war 2 bomb has been unearthed at the corner of such and such streets and then those eyes flicker into life and you can almost hear the windows tune starting up the memory as they tell you the everything and more about who lived there, who was up to no good and of course, the piece de resistance.... Ration books and how they never even saw a banana until 1952!
I guess some things in life are written in incorruptible memory files, that are only uncovered at talk of them somehow reboots them into the now and their narration of such sees beyond the audience, who have probably heard it a thousand times before and we can see the person shine once more in all their glory, until the tale is told and their life goes back into "sleep mode."
It is a helluva way to watch someone go, but we can only hope it has its own purpose and may hide them from the knowledge their end is near.

[Chris Shaw]

Apologies Lorry for late response. Trying to shake off COVID at the mo. Yes it really is sad to witness, especially when someone has already had a sad life. Have a great weekend.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris… a sad Life where Aunti may not remember any cherished moments. It seems as we become seasoned to the weather… we should enjoy Chats by a Yule Log among friends sharing a warm mug of hot chocolate 🍫 where poetry becomes our Repertoire… Peace and ❤️ love, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pat, Yes, my aunt has led a sad and lonely life and the dementia has robbed her of what little enjoyment she did have. Have a lovely weekend.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... I have seen dementia take "Hold". Perhaps there is some Peace after having been through the "Blitz". I can only imagine how you would never recover. I may change my above review, since it should reflect her sadness. tenderly, Pat

[Stella Armour]

they do remember events from long ago so well, that is why often the carers play the old war time songs to them .... and they sing along remembering all the words..
The other side of the coin as you say Chris is not happy at all ... in fact it is cuel :(

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Stella, it is cruel and she has told me numerous times she can’t understand why she is still here. She doesn’t want to be. All I can do is hug her. She likes that and it generates a smile. Thanks fir your thoughts. Hope all is well.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

“ I wish the good lord would take me”. How many times have I heard that ? …. Too many 😢