Faded Roses

Sleep eludes me, my thoughts engulf me...
   The room is quiet....
    I hear a branch outside my window, scratch the glass, in winter's wind
        
I cannot slumber, I cannot escape the waiting, I have no tears left to cry
       Reflected shadows, dark silhouettes of trembling trees, hover over me

                               Oh God,... please take her now...

Is it early morn, or early evening?    It is so hard to tell...
          when day is night, and night is day,... each passing hour seems alike.
              At last it seems this night that would never end, 
                                is quickly giving away to morning

Restlessly, I turn to face the wall 
In the faint light, I can barely see the flowered wallpaper 
  in pale pastels, ....sweet roses.......
         I count them one by one, soft shades, a trace of the pink that they used to be  
              worn by the years, faded by the sunlight that comes in the afternoon light...
                              before the darkness filled the room....

I remember when she picked this cheery pattern...so bright with color
                              Another time, ..... an eternity ago, 
                                    It is loose at the seams, just a faint remnant of color....
                        
Again,  I turn my head to check on her.
The large poster bed, holds her like a small child
                                           She looks lost among the covers.

I see the frailness, a delicate shell of the woman she used to be, 
                                            
                                                                                                           
The bedside clock ticks steadily... winding down...hour by hour, minute by minute

          I watch the movement of her chest as it barely rises, and falls
                                          So shallow the breathing, it struggles and she endures
               
               I thank God that she seems to be sleeping
                                         And I pray that her dreams are happy ones
                                                   


.......................................................................................................................................
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

A  Avatar
August 9, 2013 at 7:35 PM
A SWEET WIN CARRIE... ALWAYS ~SKAT~
Manassian Avatar
August 9, 2013 at 3:44 AM
Carrie....what a moving piece. Congrats on your win...This rends the heart...sometimes....those on the brink, wish to slip into a deeper sleep and be free....Please..dear, do check your line before the last and remove IS....Nothing to detract from the beauty of this piece. Hugs
A   Avatar
August 8, 2013 at 9:40 PM
Carrie, enjoyed your late night poem. CONGRATULATIONS!!! :-) :-) :-) in Nathan's contest... Linda
D. Avatar
August 8, 2013 at 8:26 PM
awesome poem nate
Jordan Avatar
August 30, 2009 at 4:55 AM
Carrie congrats on placing in chris's contest - God Bless mj
Lopez Avatar
August 26, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Congrats on your succes in the contest ..a beautiful write.........alopez
Mason Avatar
August 26, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Beautifully done, Carrie. Congratulations on your win in the contest!!
Kurth Avatar
August 25, 2009 at 7:08 AM
Congratulations on your second place in Christopher's contest. Your poem is sad and tender and captures such a heart rending situation beautifully. Krista
La France Avatar
August 25, 2009 at 5:56 AM
Congratulations on your second place win. This poem could only be truly appreciated by someone who has done the exact same thing and many of us have. It is such a helpless feeling to sit beside that bed and watch someone you love fade away, just like that wallpaper,.those faded roses. Your poem brought tears to my eyes and took me back to the days and long nights I did the same thing. Well done and thank you for sharing this painful experience, yet is it not beautiful in a way also..its love
Augustus Avatar
August 24, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Congratulations on your win in Christopher's contest!
Brown Avatar
August 24, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Congratulations on your win in Christopher's contest Carrie. Love, Carol
Strand Avatar
August 24, 2009 at 8:08 AM
Congrats on your success in CH's contest Carrie.Rgds Brian
Higgins Avatar
August 24, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Congrats and thanks for entering.
Moreno Avatar
March 4, 2009 at 5:47 AM
Sad tone, I concur with your ending lines...Raul
Williams Avatar
March 3, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Hi Carrie... reading this has rolled up such similar memories in me... I know this Carrie... and I am there with you
Parish Avatar
March 2, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Very sad, moving, touching and heartfelt rolled into one. It's an experience my sister just went through. The emotion in this was overwhelming.
Gass Avatar
March 2, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Carrie, so touching, so many deep and painful feelings beautifully written. It is a heartbeaking situation to be in. You have said it all so eloquently, as Joyce said. Love, Robin
Winter Avatar
March 2, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Carrie, this is so painful to read. My heart goes out to you. A tender, loved filled and very sad write. I pray his dreams are happy, too. Love and hugs, Shar xoxo
Johnson Avatar
March 2, 2009 at 7:44 AM
oph my dear. i know this feeling and youhave said it eloquently and simply. Thanks for your comments. Love, Joyce
Fischer Avatar
March 2, 2009 at 7:29 AM
You captured that worn out feeling, of careing till the end.. beautiful.
Reynolds Avatar
March 2, 2009 at 3:05 AM
Oh, goodness, Carrie, this is heartbreaking, but brilliantly written. lost amongst the covers...like a child...amazing how it all goes back around, amazing and horrible, amazing and brilliant. love, Kristin
Ginn Avatar
March 1, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Your words make deep emotions come to the surface. They are so real and honest and straight forward. What a wonderful write Carrie. Thanks fo sharing. Laurie
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace