Maternal Love

The Oaks Residential Home, visiting my aunt

Lily sits in a high back chair
her vacant eyes stare into limbo
soft music plays in the background
her ears do not hear the notes
she has a pink scarf at her throat
hiding her wrinkled skin
on her chest her baby rests
snuggled in a shawl
a mother’s tenderness
can’t be mistaken
her thin fingers caress that child
with delicate slow movement
over and over again
and no one can prise that doll
from her even though
the lunch bell rings

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... the aging folks are fortunate to be warm and a comfortable setting with food and caring... a beautiful Poem. softly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Pat for your kind words 🌹

[Sami Khalil]

Amazing how inanimate objects become symbols or representation.

[Sami Khalil]

Thank you for your great empathy and sharing about her precious doll.

[Chris Shaw]

You are too kind Sami. Thank you too

[Lorry]

She visits, keeps her company and doesn't cry whine snd moan all the time. Who says family are irreplaceable? 😃
A very poignant and beautiful tale told.

[Chris Shaw]

That doll is always with her Lorry. So sad that there are very few visits from relatives in this residential home, but you are right, they might be the whiners and moaners. Many thanks for gracing my page. Getting colder here by the hour.

Chris

[Lorry]

During our current rain and wind warnings, there is now a "snowbomb" warning in place!
I think the animals are right with their hibernation and when you think about it us celts are from HIBERNia! 😃

[Aarti Sriram]

Feel for the old dear Lily. You paint the poem delicately and as always the truth is harsh Chris. Last month we had a small dance and delight programme at a nearby old age home during Diwali. Had lit up their community hall with colourful lights and, festive décor. The staff had organised warm refreshments and the senior citizens came out one by one to know what was happening. They were so tender and child like and assumed we were their family. One or two wheel chair bound older women were clueless but by and large this event was welcomed. It gave us a chance to reflect closely on our lives when we get older and perhaps dependant! Hopefully never and my prayers for life to be easy on the less fortunate ones. Very sad doll story as I image Lily here.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Aarti so much for your touching share. We never know what the future holds for us. There are many similar to Lily and it is so sad that they don’t get many visitors. The staff in this residential home are so caring. I really value your comments and thank you for stopping by. Have a great weekend.

Chris

[Aarti Sriram]

Welcome and a warm happy weekend to you too Chris dear...

[Betty Hermelee]

A very real and poignant portrayal of what it is like to be in a residential....all alone in one's own world...gazing into nowhere clutching a doll that one cannot take from her....almost like child-like behavior...I have a good friend in a similar situation...and it brings tears to my eyes... this is very empathetic and warm Chris...sad too.
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

If you have a friend in a similar situation Betty, you will fully understand how touching this moment was. We never know what life has in store for us. Thank you for another lovely review. You are very much appreciated Betty.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

my pleasure dear Chris
Warmly
B🌷🌷🌷🌷

[Marie]

This very poignant and very emotive write brought back memories, Chris. Back in 1989 before Mam passed away there was a lady in the same ward in hospital. She had a beautiful black doll which nobody could take away from her because she insisted the doll was her baby. Her devotion to the doll, washing her, dressing her, talking to her was amazing to see. Mam had Alzheimer's too, but no attachments to anything. But, to see the look of love on the lady's face would bring tears from a stone. Her family eventually stopped trying to take the doll away and just let her be happy in the world she was living in. Mam passed away in January 1990 and the lady lived on, but I didn't visit after Mam died, so I don't know for how long after that. You have captured Lily's story and the scene superbly in both word and depiction. So sad, and with a fervent pray I pray that we don't experience it as the years go forward. A privilege to read! Thank you for sharing, Chris...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Marie for a lovely share. We just don’t know what life has in store for us. I will never forget the tenderness shown towards that doll from loving Lily. It was a tear jerker. Have a beautiful weekend Marie.

Chris

[Marie]

Most welcome always, Chris.
Wishing you a beautiful weekend too, Chris...

[peter Charlesworth]

Yes you cannot predict what is in store for us
Mine has some TV games
needle work > colouring books etc all put aside - unopened (Last years pressies)
She has a patch on her lungs, and now gets short of breath

She forgets who I am, but she wants me near
She eats most of what I cook - I give her a good helping - better to have too much; than in sufficient I keep telling her

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Peter, sad to hear your news. No one knows what is in store for them, how true. She may not remember your name, but she can remember your loving presence and feels that close to her. Look after yourself too and many thanks for being the first caller on this new poem. Pleased you stopped by. All the best.

Chris

[peter Charlesworth]

What has made her worse Two people (men) have died in the last year.
One had been to a footy match and saw his grandson score the winning goal. He died while walking back to his car > it was quite a long time before the family were told.
She watches to see I am OK when I take the clothes to hand out
We made a shopping list - son put on Vol au vent's - I crossed them out & put Pams - Why? - yours tase better & are just that bit larger sow e get more filling & less pastry - Am I going to bake
Now its all planned > one baking tomorrow and another for Christmas _ & if we are lucky another for New Year
She has to feel 'Usefull' not a burden

[Chris Shaw]

You are a caring soul. She is lucky to have your care. You take great care of you too. Happy baking Peter.

[peter Charlesworth]

We will be 62 years married next Feb
She wants to be in charge of everything - but she isn't capable
Thank You