Home » Poems » Cecilia Macfarlane » Life Stands Still

Life Stands Still

Nurses help me out of bed
I sit mostly all day in my chair 
Staring at the same four walls
Just how much more can I bare

Looking out my window 
Makes me very sad 
Not a soul to be seen 
Has the world gone mad 

My nurse Cece is so kind 
But I miss seeing her smile 
Wearing a mask, gown and shield 
Haven't seen her face in awhile 

I yearn to see my family 
Only one allowed to come in 
Totally covered up in PPE's
Barely recognizing my own kin

I miss going to the dining hall 
Now eat my meals in my room 
Not seeing my nursing home friends 
Fills me with doom and gloom 

I long to sit in a bathtub 
A bedbath is best nurses can do
Trying to keep us looking out best 
Yet I still feel dirty and blue 

No trips to the gym for physio 
No saloon lady to cut our hair 
No more day trips or outings 
We all are filled with despair 

I want to breathe in fresh air
To feel the sun on my skin
Shake off this cloud of darkness 
To see life once again begin

Kept locked in our rooms for protection 
From a virus that that may kill us all 
We feel like prisoners in a jail cell 
Following nursing home protocol

Feb 2nd, 2021

My resident's call me Cece and this is unfortunately what I see on a daily basis.

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Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 9/10/2021 6:35:00 PM

My heart goes out to all of them dear Cece , how they much look forward to your visit each day. Thank you precious Angle for being out there every day, making a difference. May God repay you in surprising ways, Hugs xo

Cecilia Macfarlane
Date: 2/3/2022 1:26:00 PM

Thanks my dear. Hugs

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 7/27/2021 6:29:00 AM

I hope we are coming to the end soon. Things are more normal here. We have a pretty high take rate on the vaccine in Canada. Hugs Rick.

Pashang Salehi

Date: 7/4/2021 8:11:00 AM

Hope everything is okay again

Judy Ball

Date: 5/25/2021 9:46:00 AM

So sad. However I have heard of people who had a family reunion and came down with the virus. You just can't be too careful especially with the elderly since their immune system is not what it used to be. This is well written with great description, imagery and emotion. God Bless, JB

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 5/25/2021 6:36:00 AM

Sadly doing the best for the elderly generation often means them being in complete isolation. You’ve written a wonderful poem for the times Cecilia and you’re doing a wonderful job too… Belle

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 3/26/2021 12:15:00 AM

I come in and out of hospital on a routine basis. Can't be helped. Rereading your poem makes me feel the pain of isolation. Hope things are well with you.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 3/13/2021 6:59:00 AM

Dropping by to say hi. HugsRick.

Kai Michael Neumann

Date: 2/28/2021 3:04:00 AM

sad reality and emotional and mental decline might by much worse than the virus ...

Cecilia Macfarlane
Date: 2/3/2022 1:27:00 PM

So very true!

Susan Lawrence

Date: 2/25/2021 7:15:00 AM

Cecelia (Cece), A poignant and sad look into the lives of these wonderful people you take care of. Bravo to you for your heart and all of your hard work. I am sure the people there greatly appreciate you. Its a tough time when we lose the simple pleasures that make us feel human. Thank you for your honest portrayal. All the best, Susan :)

Cecilia Macfarlane
Date: 5/25/2021 2:00:00 PM

Thank you Susan. The love I give to them comes back, they are beautiful souls. I took my 100 yr old resident ( I call her young lady) out in the courtyard for some sunshine and she was so happy and grateful. Hugs

John Gondolf

Date: 2/23/2021 10:36:00 AM

Bless you for being there for them when their families can't. My mother is in a nursing home and it is very much as you have described, Cecilia, though they are now all fully vaccinated so the restrictions are being eased somewhat. Hopefully we will get past this pandemic before the year is out. Hugs, John

Cecilia Macfarlane
Date: 5/25/2021 1:55:00 PM

Thank you John. Hoping your mom gets some normalcy back into her life real soon. Our home has. Hugs

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 2/23/2021 7:56:00 AM

It is very sad. They are blessed to have caretakers like you who care. Still we can’t underestimate the sadness of not being connected with loved ones. I also feel for seniors who are alone at home during this pandemic. Hugs Rick.

Cecilia Macfarlane
Date: 5/25/2021 1:52:00 PM

Thank you Richard.....I do treat them like they are my own family. So sad for those in their own homes. Hugs

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/2/2021 4:22:00 PM

rico needs to quit blaming Trump for everything. I say "Listen to Robert F. Kennedy JR. who is going around Europe trying to give good suggestions regarding Covid."

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/23/2021 7:58:00 AM

You are right, it’s not all Donald Trump’s fault but he does share in the blame. I can understand why so many people are upset with him.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/2/2021 4:21:00 PM

Very sad for these older folks. Personally I do not think the protocol being used for them is correct. I think it's too "out there" There is a happy medium that can be achieved and keep them protected!

Cecilia Macfarlane
Date: 2/2/2021 6:32:00 PM

Our home is trying it's best to achieve that medium, hallway bingo or music memories .....residents sit in their doorways. But still a long day for them. Hugs

Jan Allison

Date: 2/2/2021 3:22:00 PM

your vivid imagery is a warning to all that this virus is for real and people are isolated from their loved ones sometimes for many months, hope this is a fictional write for you Cecilia, for many it is stark sad reality:-( hugs Jan xx my mum is in a care home they have done everything to keep residents safe, another home got infected and 25 people died...in the end it was closed down and is subject to a police investigation, its heartbreaking on so many levels:-( hugs jan xx

Cecilia Macfarlane
Date: 2/2/2021 6:24:00 PM

I write from my heart and what I witness, my resident's lovingly call me Cece. I just added that as s footnote and changed the title. It is hard on them, that is why I voiced their reality. But if we don't follow protocols then more will die, so we do our best to keep them safe. Hope your mom stays safe and healthy. Hugs

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 2/2/2021 12:09:00 PM

Indeed we are prisoners with this with this pandemic. I have to go to hospital and I dread it. ~~

Cecilia Macfarlane
Date: 2/2/2021 6:26:00 PM

Just wear your mask and sanitize your hands, you will be fine. Hope hospital visit is nothing serious. Hugs