Her New Room

Her New Room

The house was small 
where she raised her five children,
but not as small as her new room.

She lived in her house fifty-two years,
but only for a couple of months  
now in her new room.

She loomed large in her small house,
yet now seems so tiny
in the corner of her new room.

Her house held the aroma of flower sachet
with smells of delicious wonderment 
flowing warmly from her kitchen.

Her new room has the reek of medicine
with an underlying odor
of pine oil disinfectant.

She seemed to know everyone
wherever she went
and everyone knew her.

Today she needs to be reminded
of her daughter’s name, sitting
beside her, holding her hand.

Waiting in her new room
she asks once more
if it’s time to go back home.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Palmer Avatar
April 7, 2017 at 7:00 AM
ta8
Vinson Avatar
April 6, 2017 at 10:11 PM
A hard thing, Carl, and a good poem.
Palmer Avatar
April 7, 2017 at 7:01 AM
Thank you, Doug
Kendrick Avatar
December 7, 2016 at 12:49 PM
This is very emotive and expressive work..It brings back memories of our parents whose mind went before their bodies..Congrats on your winning work..Sara
Palmer Avatar
December 7, 2016 at 1:31 PM
Thank you, Sara. Not that long on Poetry Soup, still getting familiar with the website, I was wondering why all the letters of congratulations. Jan was first, told me she liked my poem and then again later with kudos, but it wasn't until just now I find I was awarded 2nd place in the contest. Thanks again to you and everyone that commented on HER NEW ROOM.
Neumann Avatar
December 4, 2016 at 2:41 AM
Congratulations on you win. Dementia sucks. I know from Medicine and know from my mother. Soldier on and many wishes, Kai
Palmer Avatar
December 5, 2016 at 1:48 AM
Thank you, Kai
Allison Avatar
December 4, 2016 at 12:29 AM
Dropping back to say many congrats Carl:-) hugs Jan xx
Palmer Avatar
December 5, 2016 at 1:49 AM
Thank you, Jan. You're my inspiration.
White Avatar
December 3, 2016 at 11:55 AM
Congratulations with your placement with this emotional poem. It's such a difficult subject...
Palmer Avatar
December 3, 2016 at 12:22 PM
Thank you, Darren.
Allison Avatar
November 7, 2016 at 2:43 AM
Absolutely heartbreaking in so so many ways dementia is such a cruel illness I have written about it to. Your poem hit home with me as my mum moved into a care home after we lost dad last year ... but her home is lovely... I see the people with dementia and it really breaks my heart:-( hugs Jan xx
Palmer Avatar
November 7, 2016 at 11:21 AM
I followed my mother's lead and became a Hospice volunteer. Just being there available to listen tells me many stories.
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