No Sweet Old Lady
After a childhood of moaning
and feigned fainting
and suicide attempts in my presence—
it’s hard to know
whether the call in the night
saying she is going to call an ambulance
is serious or not.
Personally, I can’t imagine
calling 911 for the runs
but my mother did.
When the paramedics arrived
they told her to stay home;
emergency would only make her sick
waiting upright for hours in a chair,
an IV jammed in her arm.
And now she’s on speaking terms with me again
which means the calls will start
the ones pleading and demanding
alternating
on who knows what whim.
She’s eighty and no sweet old lady.
Copyright © Soulfire | Year Posted 2011
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.
Please
Login
to post a comment