cataract-clouded memories

too old to see; too young to die
she hunches over
as people pass her by.

perhaps in the midst of
sips of tea
she allows her mind
to wander free.

[dancing through cataract-clouded memories]

snapshots of earthen
grassy hills
where she sipped her fill
of joy.

images of sapphire
silken streams
where she fell in love
with a boy.

outlines of strength in her
daddy’s hands
as he gave her the courage
to dream.

hints of the scents
of morning glory mist
when the world was more
than it seemed.

snippets of sugar
on the tip of her tongue
as she fed her horse
a piece.

moments of madness
as she danced around
and followed the lure
of caprice.

yet all she feels now is
the cold in her bones
and the way time has passed her so soon.

and all she sees
is the darkness deep
and the outline of a sunny afternoon.

there’s not enough time
to heal her heart
and not enough strength
to cry.

so she sips her tea
on an empty street
as people pass her by.

Reviews

[Angela H.]

This is a lovely piece of art about the not so lovely process of aging. Though I have not yet reached the cataract stage, I've lived a few lifetimes thus far and have had to shed skins in the process, so I can feel the truth of this woman's process.

Beautifully done. I look forward to reading more of your work. It takes some doing to find, in this giant cafe, work that feels kindred.

[Megan]

This poem is very upsetting in the reality that we all grow old, but it is beautiful to know that we all connect glorious memories over time. Thank you for putting it in such a lovely way. A wonderful peice of art!

[obsolete]

Well, I must say, I am very glad to have stumbled across your profile. Being a new member, and reading other people's work as much as possible, I have found this to be my favorite read so far. It really captures the loneliness and despair, the regret and retrospection that old age produces. It was well written and accurately conveys the emotions of such a character. Well done.

[Starlight]

i really really like this one ! : )

[Sarah Williams]

Absolutely lovely! This was so very touching, and so expertly wrought.

"hints of the scents
of morning glory mist
when the world was more
than it seemed."
--this is one of the most beautiful stanzas I have read in a very long time!

[Chad Marinkovits]

Absolutely loved this poem. Overall, the poem has a wonderful rythm, and you also paint these pictures so well. This one grabs me especially because I was recently at a point where I felt as though no matter how many silver linings I'd look for, I'd only see the grey surrounding them.

"and all she sees
is the darkness deep
and the outline of a sunny afternoon.

there's not enough time
to heal her heart
and not enough strength
to cry.

so she sips her tea
on an empty street
as people pass her by."

Very, very powerful. You definitely get the emotive response a writer strives for.

[Shane Rendon]

The first line totally hooked me, and as I read it just brightened. Then the last stanza...ahhh... I geuss thats how poetry is suposed to go. So sad, but recaps so many lovely images. This is wonderfull.
-Shane

[Shannon Drake]

"images of sapphire
silken streams
where she fell in love
with a boy.

outlines of strength in her
daddy's hands
as he gave her the courage
to dream.

hints of the scents
of morning glory mist
when the world was more
than it seemed."

Those are probably the most powerful lines to me in this entire thing. Loved it. Once again, never ceasing to amaze me.

These lines too, i felt were.. just.. astounding:

"there's not enough time
to heal her heart
and not enough strength
to cry."

just.. wow.

[L. Thomack]

I imagine this is how all people with cataracts react. You did a great job on this poem I enjoyed it very much

[Nat Z. Punx]

i loved this one