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Time Borrowed

Lucky none have seen him slip and fall. Mustn't know his strain to stand at all. Many wondrous stories he could share. Pass them by as if he wasn't there. Try to help, a plate slips from his hand. Whispers seem a guarded reprimand. With, "I'm sorry", asks them for a broom. Told don't worry. Shuffles to his room. Often teens will peek when he's asleep. Perfect size computer room retreat. Glance at all his keepsakes still unpacked. Confident their future plans intact. Enter rooms, their words become a cough. When he leaves, begin where they left off. Waking from a dream, he's loved again. None must know his struggle just to stand. Gene Bourne. 07-29-13. .

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Skat A

Date: 12/29/2015 5:39:00 PM

GENE, Congratulations on having your poem featured on the soups home page during the last week of 2015 and beginning of 2016 :) awesome way to start the year... Enjoy the coming Year.... SKAT

Scott Thirtyseven

Date: 11/5/2015 10:07:00 AM

Fascinating write. I like the little bit of mystery it gives us readers something to add ourselves.

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 8/20/2014 10:22:00 AM

Gene, thank you for the reply Always~ Linda"

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/20/2014 5:11:00 PM

My pleasure, my friend.....Gene

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 8/6/2014 9:21:00 PM

Hi Gene,, Congratulations!!! :) On having your poem featured this week. Stopping by to say hi, and greet almost every poem, on the Poetry Soup's home page. Enjoy having your poem for all to read. Always & Forever ~LINDA~

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/7/2014 12:00:00 AM

Very thoughtful of you and thanks for the "congrats". It's poets such as you who set an example for all members to delve into, read, comment and encourage as many Poets (veterans or new members) and inspire them. You are a vital part of the engine that is PoetrySoup. Thanks for commenting....Your Friend,....Gene

Debbie Duncan

Date: 8/3/2014 5:19:00 PM

very nicely done Gene, you seem to be describing a disabled person. I watched a movie last night about this subject with Eric Stoltz & Westly Snipes called The Waterdance, you can check it out on Utube . " nice featured poem " :)

Gene Bourne
Date: 8/3/2014 9:53:00 PM

Thanks Debbie, for commenting. I've been away from my PC all day. This concerns an elderly person who has had to move in with a son/daughter. I didn't picture him "disabled", rather a person who's reached an advanced age and his legs are growing weak. Many are in the position of having an elderly person, of sound mind, move in with them....rather than a nursing home. It can create a tricky situation for some. Thanks again for commenting....Your PS friend,....Gene

Robert Nehls

Date: 7/22/2014 2:23:00 AM

Pretty sad stuff, Gene. The old seem to be an unfamiliar territory for younger generations. It's like they may be mentally and emotionally slipping and falling when around the elderly. It seem to be far more uncomfortable for them than it is for the old. That is what makes the whole thing so worrisome. Very thought provoking. Enjoyed it..... Robert.

Gene Bourne

Date: 4/11/2014 10:32:00 AM

When I was answering Robert Pettit"s comment, I wasn''t interpreting the poem. Robert asked for specifics. I gave him one example, specualting on what possibly could be happening. Then again it could have been a situation alltogether. I will say the one word that was essential to this poem was computer....Thanks, Gene Bourne

Timothy Brumley

Date: 4/11/2014 7:28:00 AM

I'm 57 yrs old and disabled drawing SS myself. It's true that people often only see the old man and not the life lived that he represents much to their own detriment. You poems paint a unique perspective of a moment in time for the readers to fill in the blanks and it leaves you guessing. I assume this is the effect that you were after and while it is different, I think you need some type of closure or finality here to pull it together and to give purpose to the description.

Gene Bourne
Date: 4/11/2014 10:20:00 AM

Hi, Tim...I understand the points you're making. I can't compose an ending to this because I wanted the reader left "dangling", just like the elderly man. This was meant to be an unresolved poem. In the USA, it's tragic to see the lack of respect for the elderly. There are countries were the old are revered and their decades of wisdom called on and heeded. I see a culture In decline. I never interpret anything I write. I'm too close to it. Thanks, Tim....Gene

Robert Pettit

Date: 1/22/2014 11:47:00 PM

Gene, are you describing a handicapped person, or someone with a terminal illness? You have good descriptiveness and rhyming here.

Gene Bourne
Date: 1/23/2014 12:17:00 AM

Hi, Robert. This describes a widower parent, probably early eighties. He can no longer drive. His only disabilities are his age, his lack of computer / electronic gizmo knowledge and today's culture. He has moved into the home of a son / daughter. His only income is Social Security. In his mind he's the person he always was. ...but others often just see someone elderly. To some, the elderly are treated as if they were invisible and inconsequential. Thanks for your interest and your kind comments. Your PS friend, Gene Bourne