A Viewing In the Corridor

Volunteers are truly, the salt of all communities
and apart from feeling good, there are opportunities
to give a helping hand to those who might need it more
where the general public at times, do tend to ignore.

That’s how I found myself amongst the elderly and frail
in an aged care facility now that their bodies start to fail,
and their minds begin to wander but they still know how to smile
when I hear their conversations while I sit with them a while.

For dementia patients are complex with sometime funny quotes
with puzzling statements from the blue in weird anecdotes,
but over time with patience I got to know them one by one,
and so too all the nurses – with who I joked and had some fun.

Now one nurse in particular; Kerri-Ann enjoyed our banter
(it was nothing more than stirring chat; not meant to enchant her)
but on this one occasion as we strolled along a corridor,
ahead of us was Peter Jones who made his entrance through a door.

Peter faced us in his pyjamas with a sad look upon his face,
so Kerri-Ann with wisdom asked with a touch of grace
“What’s wrong Peter?” and with a sniff I heard him say
“oh nurse I am upset – my private part has died today.”

Kerri-Ann offered her condolences and put Peter back to bed,
and we continued on our way to see some patients up ahead.
Of course there were the giggles, but sorrow’s in there too, 
because I believed poor Peter – just wouldn’t have a clue.

But I was wrong on our return. I gazed ahead in sheer dismay.
Peter faced us in the corridor with his member on display.
Kerri-Ann as always took the reins, “Peter, what are you doing?”
And Peter’s morbid voice replied - “It’s now time for the viewing.”
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Messina Avatar
January 21, 2019 at 7:24 PM
G'day Lindsay, yes sad and humorous which makes for a great write. Great rhyme and flow! Poor Peter lost his mojo.
Laurie Avatar
January 24, 2019 at 11:20 PM
G'day Charles … Peter was real, and kept everyone on their toes until he passed away poor soul. Never forgotten - thank you Charles - Lindsay
Proxenos Avatar
January 19, 2019 at 6:58 AM
A sad, but very funny poem - My mother got dementia in her eighties and created a boyfriend in her mind who was the total opposite of my father - my father was an English gentleman and an officer to his fingertips but he died young - 65 - and my moms imaginary boyfriend was greek, quite a gigolo, and very cheeky, we overheard sexual conversations between them, she thought the phone worked, but we had disconnected it. We laughed a lot, couldn't help it! Poetry hugs, Jennifer.
Laurie Avatar
January 24, 2019 at 11:17 PM
Hello Jennifer … yes, the stories can be very funny, but dementia is not. One old fella I knew had a toy dog that he thought was real and kept trying to feed it with a spoon at meal times. Thanks for reading and your story Jennifer - Lindsay
Messina Avatar
January 21, 2019 at 7:17 PM
LOL- love that story Jennifer
Curtis Avatar
January 16, 2019 at 6:00 PM
I've been working much lately and new where to come for a laugh...carry-on Mate
Laurie Avatar
January 24, 2019 at 11:13 PM
G'day Jerry … phew! I thought you might have been in jail. Good to hear from you Jerry - Lindsay
Cunningham Avatar
January 16, 2019 at 12:56 PM
Well if you've got it flaunt it, let age not stand in the way lol. Another gem Lindsay. Tom
Laurie Avatar
January 24, 2019 at 11:11 PM
G'day Tom … true, but I don't think too much is going to stand Tom - thanks Mate - Lindsay
Marcum Wong Avatar
January 15, 2019 at 11:56 PM
Oh you got me! Very entertaining and humorous my friend. Thanks for the smiles! : ) xxoo
Laurie Avatar
January 24, 2019 at 11:09 PM
Hello Connie … probably not a great sight, but believe me, this sort of things do go in nursing homes but maybe not to this extent - thank you Connie - Lindsay
Leffanta Avatar
January 15, 2019 at 7:31 PM
Ditto what Robert wrote! Aloha! Rico
Laurie Avatar
January 24, 2019 at 11:03 PM
Thank you Rico. Pleased you enjoyed my little taste of humour - Lindsay
Hinshaw Avatar
January 15, 2019 at 7:06 PM
Oh my! Another masterful verse from the Master of Verse. For a while you left us "dangling" (so to speak) until the last line!!! Keep wielding your very witty and prolific quill for our delight! Bobert
Laurie Avatar
January 24, 2019 at 11:02 PM
G'day … once again, thank you Robert. It's a big job in nursing homes to keep their standards high - catch you soon Robert - Lindsay
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