She toddles
as she gets up
and hurries to
the phone
careful not to
lose her balance
and fall…again.
I watch from my
chair next to hers
where we had been
talking moments
before and notice
she has left her
cane behind…again.
In a few short months
we have become trusted
friends and I have listened
to the stories of her extravagant
and privileged life. Strong-willed
she chose differently for her
life than her parents.
She eloped with the love of her life.
She filled her home with children,
knowing that an only child’s
life, even though a life of
opulence, could be a lonely one.
Now her life has been reduced,
diminished, moderated by
old age and ill health.
Once so vibrant and engaged
with life and doing for others,
she now relies on them and
marvels at the state that her
life has become. And yet
she still has a sense of humor
and giggles and shakes
her head to think that she is the
mother of a now seventy year old.
She heaps me with compliments
as she eyes what I’ve worn each
time we meet and tells me I’m
“adorable” and “precious”. Once
dressed impeccably as the wife
of a successful executive and
as the daughter of a wealthy
entrepreneur, dressing gowns
and robes are now her attire.
Still feeling the sting
of wanting more of her parents’
love and attention as a child,
she tells me again and again
of how she would often be
left with maids and chauffeurs.
Even many passing years
don’t always alleviate the
slights of our youth.
Tony Maude is hosting Open Link Night over at dVerse Poets: http://dversepoets.com/2014/01/14/open-link-night-week-128/
