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Contest: The Silent KISS, sponsored by Constance La France. Pic of Mount St.Jospeph's Nursing home from yahoo.

The Silent KISS

“Do not fear death so much but rather the inadequate life.” Bertolt Brecht


They gathered around the table to a game of bingo
 at tables decorated with pink flamingos 
   Blank stares and forced smiles on some faces
 Some lost in their own thoughts from other places
A shout out of” Bingo” brings them back for a moment
  Eagerly awaiting that coin prize as a bestowment
    Soon it’s time to go back to their lonely rooms 
 As they are slowly wheeled back amongst the putrid fumes
Their halls are haunted daily by cries of pain and despair
       As most would not have chosen to be there
  Their happiness lost in memories of a past life
When they lived with family, or had a husband or wife
 As night falls they're settled in their hospital beds
Praying for sleep as they are taking their nighttime meds
   Some stay awake as they hope for that silent kiss
The kiss of death would be welcomed by many with bliss

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Constance La France Date: 9/3/2025 6:15:00 AM Tania, congratulations on your win in my The Silent Kiss contest with your beautiful poem, I love the image and quote, blessings ~Constance Login to Reply Tania Kitchin Date: 9/3/2025 3:53:00 PM Constance, thank you and thanks for my placement.

CayCay Jennings Date: 9/2/2025 5:02:00 PM The weight of sadness in your lines gets heavier and heavier with each line and by the end, I was ready to ball. Since that's what your poem is seeking, you got it, I was effectively, thoroughly depressed by its all too real truths. Wanna shake it off, toooo true. Poetry hugs ... CayCay Login to Reply Tania Kitchin Date: 9/3/2025 3:56:00 PM CayCay, thank you. I saw a lot when I worked as a case manger and visited clients in nursing homes. They are not bad places but still full of sadness and despair.

Robert Pettit Date: 8/28/2025 1:10:00 PM What a vivid picture you have painted with your words here. This reminded me of the hit song "Old Man Time" by the late Jimmy Durante. Login to Reply Tania Kitchin Date: 8/28/2025 1:30:00 PM Robert, thank you.

Victor Buhagiar Date: 8/28/2025 2:04:00 AM Sad poem. I have a sister-in-law aged 97. dementia galore. But she wants the kiss of life not death. Login to Reply Tania Kitchin Date: 8/28/2025 1:30:00 PM Victor, thank you.

Yann Rolland Date: 8/27/2025 6:09:00 PM some dispair, winning bingo doesnt matter, they wait for something else, heartbreaking poem, beautifully written, bravo poet Login to Reply Tania Kitchin Date: 8/28/2025 1:31:00 PM Yann, thank you.

David Kavanagh Date: 8/26/2025 3:25:00 PM Quite a foreboding piece Tania, but some things need saying, especially from one’s own perspective, and I tend to share your pov, a lot of people are not happy in these places, and would prefer not to end up there at all! Brutally honest well written piece, cheers David Login to Reply Tania Kitchin Date: 8/26/2025 3:50:00 PM David, thank you. My years as a social worker allowed me to see too much on the negative side. There are still those happy residents at these places as well.