The Thirst

How our passions command our souls!

Original photograph by Tomasz Sienicki (tsca).  This work has been released into the public domain by its author, tsca. This applies worldwide. In some countries this may not be legally possible; if so: tsca grants anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law. The original photograph can be seen at  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Hospital_room_ubt.jpeg

Dear Readers,

This is not a factual account of my aunt's last days. I was not there in the end. It was Charlotte, my aunt's daughter, that came through, and was such a boon to my aunt and uncle. Thanks, Charlotte, you were such a champ. Everyone counted on you, and you did not disappoint.

This poem presented itself to me without conscious thought. I was consumed in the gravity of another loss in the family, and then I felt the whole of human existence and the weight of our wants and desires.  Our desires were being so defeated in the loss of a precious family member.  But want goes so much beyond that. It is a thirst that we mere mortals can't quench. Some of these wants are noble, but the majority are petty and crude--okay, well at least not noble. Man's whole existence is filled with want, with a thirst that can't be satisfied, be it desire for more life, riches, fame, or whatever. We thirst. And this is especially apropos as Oppie was denied water in the end by the hospice nurses as this was to be the end.  They kept her comfortable, but she died of her thirst, just as we all die a bit each day from our thirsts.

Rick

The Thirst

     "Death of an aunt, my mother's sister, an unforgetable presence in my life."

As she lay dying in the night

My spirit rose with second sight

And saw Man’s thirsts hung in the air

Such hungry things--black with despair

I moved through them--

I heard them growl

They tore my flesh

Threw back their cowls

Exposed sharp teeth

And flashed wild eyes

With fear I shook--

In horror cried!

 

But calm returned to ‘ darkened room

I heard her breathe--that will end soon

In silence cloaked, soft in the night

I sat awaiting morning's light

 

For that will be another day

Through which we must hold thirst at bay

I want to cry, but do not dare

I can’t shed tears--won't feed despair

 

She died that evening from her thirst

No water given by the nurse

She passed in peace without a sound

The drugs were kind, they say they've found

 

But we are left here with our thirsts

Unruly passions--how we’re cursed!

And now Life’s taken her away

Another thirst instilled this day

 

And my life stretches out so long

Another night, another dawn

Another want, another fear

Another loss, another tear

 

Until one day thirst is denied

And we’re released from our vain pride

No cares to claw, fierce on our heart

A day of peace, a time to stop

 

 

 

© 2013 Richard Puetter

All rights reserved

We miss you, Oppie (Alberta Jeeninga Marshal), and we feel for you, Bill. She cannot be replaced. Our deepest condolences. We miss her so much.

© 2013 The Marshal Family, the Puetter Family, the Jeeninga Family, the Beckman Family, together and individually -- All rights reserved

© 2013 The Marshal Family, the Puetter Family, the Jeeninga Family, the Beckman Family, together and individually -- All rights reserved

 

Reviews

[Data]

Aye, 'tis true, the thirst for life is potent.
From her pictures and what you write, Rick, Oppie looks like a kind and beautiful woman; I hope she had the opportunity to drink long and deep of life.
On that last day when thirst unquenched, as you say, "A day of peace"
There's a kind of darkness, I suspect borne of grief, in the poem, but with the notes and pictures included this is a beautiful tribute for a person you, patently, cared for deeply.
Phil.

[TrimarcoRansome]

Rick, A truly touching write for your aunt's last breath. Death churns up so many emotions in us, one's which you would not think or expect. As we sit in wait for those final moment our reflections are the making of some of the greatest poetry penned. Sorry for your loss,

[Uday Kanungo]

This is absolutely fantastic. Some lines were just ideal-depicting loss and how those who live have to deal with it even after the person in question has gone. " I want to cry, but do not dare
I can’t shed tears--won't feed despair". these were just the best lines. Hats off, sir.

[Lydia Shutter]

A heartfelt tribute to your aunt. The quicksand of grief is difficult to navigate, Rick. However, I believe memories help us through. Obviously you have precious ones of your "Oppie". Your cousin, Charlotte, did for her mom what I did for mine. It is not easy watching life leave the body of someone you love. Hospice allows patients to leave this world with dignity and without pain. May she rest in peace! Your poem is warm and beautifully emotive. Lydi**

[Great Aunt Astri]

I like that .. the thirst for Life. It is wonderful when life offers you so many ways to quench your thirst
I think your ending is very good and leaves one with a satisfied and optimistically quenched thirst!

[David Scott]

I can see how not being quenched can be the ultimate blessing. While this life satisfies our "thirsts" we will never know a land where we will thirst no more...
Reminds me of the woman at the well...
A lovely tribute!
Well done Rick. Great philosophy on death as well.

[Chris]

A unique and thought invoking view of the human "element".

[Riding the Rainbow]

Thank you for deciding to post this poem and to let us know about your aunt's death. I'm really sorry for your loss. Unfortunately I know what it feels like to lose someone dear to your heart. Seeing someone you love dying day after day and staying there unable to help her/him, it eats you inside. The only thing that stays with us, it's them inside our hearts.

[one sky]

Very moving, as all of us do not want any loss of family member.

I can feel the hatred of the voice because of the shortcoming of the nurse which resulted to the death of his aunt. Nice flow of emotion in good rhythm and rhyme.

Emotional but astounding piece!

[Rick Puetter]

Hi Margaux.

It is a common practice in hospice to deny food and water at the end of ones life. The person is dying from various other causes and one simply makes sure the dying person is comfortable and on drugs. There should be no pain or misery involved. So this was no shortcoming of the nurse. This was happening for days and everyone knew about it and agreed to this course of action. But ultimately, lack of water was the cause of my aunt's dead. It's a hard thing.

Best regards,

Rick

[zainul]

I can't express in words what painful experience your aunt had to endure at the last moment of her life.
I just wanted to weep as tears swelled my eyes while reading the piece written with pure love and emotion.
Hope she is living a peaceful life in heaven.
Thank you Rick for sharing the golden work.