IMAGINARY GARDEN
chose a tough topic this week
DEMENTIA
Do not feel sorry for me now.
I am beyond sorrow.
Feel sorry for yourself.
I am dark and woolly in here,
Unaware,
Unafraid,
Untouched.
As I was before birth.
The time for feeling sorry was then.
Then?
Back then when only
An unimportant phrase was lost.
Back then
When I forgot where I lived.
Back then
When we looked at each other and.....knew.
Then I knew terror;
Then I knew anguish;
Then I knew despair.
And you were sorry.
But how to express your sorrow
Without admitting defeat?
Now you express your sorrow.
But I look at you
Unmoved,
Unresponsive,
Uninvolved.
For I am not here.
Do not feel sorry for me now.
I am beyond sorrow.
*
Feel sorry for yourself.
*
------------------------------------------------------------------
Julie Storry
RED BADGE OF COURAGE
She could have put the kettle on to have a cup of tea;
She could have slumped in her armchair watching vacuous TV.
She could have written to her daughter bemoaning her lonely state;
She could have wept some hopeless tears for her very long-gone mate.
She could have napped for several hours, lying on her bed.
She could even have whispered to herself 'I wish that I were dead.'
But no, she put on her red hat, and went out in the winter air,
Saying 'Whatever the future holds I simply do not care'.
A badge of courage takes many forms, I am certain of that,
And there's nothing more courageous than a cheerful bright red hat.
*
