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Moonlight on the Ward

Midnight. This white ward drifts softly through chalked moonbeams shifting walls argent to cream, sifting sterile halls. Full moon fingers reach within touching each silvered sheet-shroud. Jaded nurses drowse... vials drip crystalline hope elixirs into sick veins, bedside water jugs shimmer with ivory pearls; glimmer-gentle light soothes pain. Shades of frailty flit, whisperings of the once-well; escapees from harsh daylight's hot taunts of the sun. Reality receding, moonlight kinder to dreaming. Caught between two worlds - health and no-way-out unhealth; fear smoothed by the balm of calm. Lustrous illusions, in this vault of dream we wait for morning's impending fate.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011




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Date: 3/19/2024 5:23:00 PM
Dear Charlotte, your poetic pen captures the melancholy of midnight and moonlight on the ward with golden finesse. Your enthralling talent shines in the sad beauty of this Choka strand. The nights can be dark, both within and outside of one's self. Warmest wishes, dear poetess.. ~Susan
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Date: 8/23/2023 3:14:00 PM
Written from personal experience? Either way your attention to detail is remarkable. A close relative has spent many days and nights in a ward (why are they always on the 6th floor?) and I've visited him numerous times at several different ones. Always the same. "Whisperings (or delusional screams) of the once well." It makes me teary eyed. I've conducted Bible studies at the local mental health center (once was the state hospital) and both were schizophrenics. The stories I could tell!
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/23/2023 3:25:00 PM
One last thing: there is something better, more real, more soothing to the soul than narcotics or opioids. More on that another time...
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/23/2023 3:16:00 PM
But mostly I eventually walked away sad because there was just no healing for them. No way to retain what they were learning, even on (forced) meds. My relative is bi-polar, depressive, paranoid and has physical health challenges. We're very close but it can get rough. You're a special person Charlotte. Hang in there
Date: 7/17/2023 3:00:00 AM
Great to read your poems it's enthusiasm a lot
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Date: 1/5/2023 4:28:00 PM
A courageous piece
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Date: 1/1/2023 2:58:00 AM
Imagine fast forwarding this to 2020, when nurses must have turned up in dread, knowing death would be leaving in droves. On that note. All the best for 2023. lol
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Date: 12/30/2020 4:24:00 AM
Wow. congrats what winner. wonderful words well done. Love it.
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Date: 7/15/2013 11:50:00 PM
Sleepless?.. Whatever for?
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Date: 4/22/2013 5:03:00 PM
Geat work that has been honored in Andrea's favs..Sara
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Date: 4/22/2013 11:44:00 AM
Congratulations, Charlotte!...A truly mesmerizing Choka series...'Jaded nurses drowse'...Perfect - Tim
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Date: 4/22/2013 11:12:00 AM
Congratulations on such a well earned win.
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Date: 4/21/2013 1:32:00 AM
Congratulations Charlotte. Reminds me of a lot of wards I worked on LOL Never thought to write about it like this....very unique. SuZ
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Date: 4/20/2013 3:18:00 PM
'Fear smoothened by the balm of calm' my fav line. Congrats on your win!
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Date: 4/20/2013 7:03:00 AM
Congratulations Charlotte.
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Date: 4/19/2013 9:36:00 PM
Charlotte, Congratulations IN HONOR OF Andrea's favorite POEM contest. *Always & Forever' @->- LINDA -<-@
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Date: 4/19/2013 8:30:00 PM
Charlotte, a sweet win~*~SKAT
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Date: 4/19/2013 7:59:00 PM
Congratulations on your awesome win of Andrea's "fave poem" contest, Charlotte. Lovely phrase "health and no-way-out unhealth". Good writing, my friend :)
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Date: 4/19/2013 7:57:00 PM
Wow! So love it! Many congrats my dear friend Charlotte! So enjoyed your lovely poem & its image. Thank you so much for sharing! Have a grace-filled day! love and hugs, Leonora
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Date: 11/2/2011 12:42:00 PM
Do you work in a hospital, Charlotte. I was mesmerized by your description of the "ward" when the moon is full. Congratulations on your win in Russell's contest. Love, Carolyn
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Date: 11/2/2011 10:03:00 AM
Congrats Charlotte on third place win with this mesmerizing visual delight for the contest luv..
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Date: 11/2/2011 5:56:00 AM
Congratulations on your win in Russell's "What Happens During A Full Moon" contest Charlotte. Love, Carol
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Date: 11/2/2011 1:13:00 AM
Congratulations on the win with this lovely poem, Charlotte
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Date: 10/28/2011 6:01:00 PM
As a former nurse, I identify with the images in this wonderful verse. Hospital life is worlds away from reality - sadly - and not getting better. Thanks for keeping in touch.
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Date: 10/24/2011 7:26:00 AM
I am so happy to see the Soup back up and thrilled to be able to read your wonderful poetry Charlotte. May you have an exciting week filled with new found inspiration. Love, Carol
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Date: 10/24/2011 12:50:00 AM
this is breathtakingly beautiful. Another fave!
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Date: 10/23/2011 5:20:00 PM
Oh, Charlotte, I'm crying. This is TRUTH. I was with my dad in palliative care. You caught it pefectly, the sorrow... the nights. This SHOULD get first place. THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS. You're awesome. Sad Hug, Cyndi
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