The ThirstA Poem by Rick PuetterHow 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 © 2013 Rick PuetterFeatured Review
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Added on May 5, 2013Last Updated on November 7, 2013 Tags: aging, death, surrender, funeral, pressing on AuthorRick PuetterSan Diego, CAAboutSo what's the most important thing to say about myself? I guess the overarching aspect of my personality is that I am a scientist, an astrophysicist to be precise. Not that I am touting science.. more..Writing
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