I Buried My Parents Alive!

Tragedies Can Take Many Forms

I’ve Buried My Parents Alive!

 

It was just a choice,

   To wait for that day,

When tragedy struck,

   And took them away.

 

Or I could move now

   To isolate them,

To cut off their feet,

   Their life’s blood to stem.

 

Its not a fair choice.

   Its not a cruel end.

It had to be done.

   I’ve gone round the bend.

 

They say that to die,

   Separates men.

A short one-way trip,

   Today or some when.

 

But I’ve got parents,

   Who haven’t a clue,

Dementia has robbed,

   Their abilities too.

 

To walk cross the room,

   Or safely to drive.

To take all their meds,

   To eat or to thrive.

 

I’m left with no choice,

   I must make a move.

Stopping their travel,

   My true love to prove.

 

It now is my time,

   I’m the only one.

I have to stop them,

   I haven’t a gun.

 

My only weapon,

   Is take way their keys,

And end their existence,

   Cut off at their knees.

 

I could not be crueler;

   Either wait for that crash,

Or step up and end it.

   My name is now ‘Trash’.

 

LSS

 

Author's Note

This is a responsibility that will fall to most of us at one time or another. Sorry the title is so confusing, it is more about the severely broken relationship that prevents one from ever sharing the same life again. To my parents, at least for now, I am dead. And to me they are buried beneath the weight of my actions.
Lar

Reviews

[Tabitha Dings]

Dad. That's so sad. I mean. You had to express yourself some how. Just like I have to get my emotions out in my poetry. You say my stuff is dark. But a lot of my emotions are dark. If we don't express.. we can't get over it. This poem really touched me because I know what caused you this turmoil exactly. And it wasn't just some imaginary tail in a poem, it came from your life. It makes it real. The best stories and poems come from life.

[Lori]

Very touching poem. I like the structure of it. It's left open enough to have a different meaning for different people depending on the specifics of their relationships with their parents. I like that. However, because I'm so intrigued by the dilemma you wrote in your explanation, I would love to see you follow this up with another poem or story that is a bit more specific and more personal. I know....easy for me to say. I don't mean to spell out absolute details, but just something that pinpoints the emotions and how it effects you. But this poem stands just fine on its own.

[Zatoichi]

i understand the sentiment, having lived thru the predicament.
this is a potent piece of writing that would be even more so if you forgo the rhyme structure. the content is too powerful to be coonstrained by petty rules.

[Seriana]

Wow Lar...I don't even know what to say. This piece is so thought provoking. And sad, really. Faced with many decisions which we'd rather not be, it's a difficult choice, no doubt. You've penned a very painful piece.
I agree with Legion about the rhyme. I am thinking it would perhaps be more fluid is places without.
But, either way, it made me stop and consider things in my won life, and that is the most important thing. Nicely done. Thanks for sharing. :)

[Legion]

Am there now (except with my grandmother). Her house burned down today. :( Thankfully, no one was hurt. I think you have a very good idea here, but I would really like to see what you could do with it without the rhyme (or at least some of the forced rhyme that makes the piece not flow so well). It is a rough situation indeed and not one to be envied. Good work wether you try it the other way or not.

[Deborah Leah Krempa]

I also don't understand the title but this is a well written poem. Taking care of our elderly parents is a hard job but also a blessing. Thank you for sharing. Debileah

[*Rain*]

I do so like it. I can well imagine what it'll be like to be faced with the same consequences in my future. That odd swithc of roles. And what it'll be like to be the one's who are failing. *sigh* I do not envy you your responsibility, but I do love your words.

[Daniel]

Nice poem. =D
I'm not completely sure why it's called "I've Buried My Parents Alive" though. Were they on life-support?
Oh well.
Other than that I liked it. :D