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Odyssey

she shuffles in tattered slippers held by elastic bands securing them to her feet bindings taken for granted her thoughts settled into routine to cross the dining room floor to her table lunch still matters to those buzzed by fog dessert still stirs the blood to move dysfunctional in age she could go off in any direction at any time like a heart monitor jittery, at the cusp of letting go a harvested jumble of beats that still hang together her odyssey a matter of edges stunted steps close enough to the movement of others bickering bodies sometimes but removed enough to breathe

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Susan Ashley

Date: 1/26/2024 7:13:00 PM

Dear Brian, there is so much beauty in the sad depths of this poignant piece. A delicately expressed creation with emotive and evocative imagery "like a heart monitor jittery, at the cusp of letting go/a harvested jumble of beats that still hang together" -wow! A tender poem, so very moving. "Odyssey" a perfect title to describe the foggy journey through old age. Congratulations for your contest win and for poem being honored with POTW! Well-deserved my friend. Warmest wishes.. hope all is well with you and yours.. ~Susan

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/26/2024 8:19:00 PM

Dear Brian, I am sorry to hear of your mother’s fall and broken wrist - how frightful! She’s a fighter for sure! I echo your kind sentiments back to you.. look after yourself dear poet, may you and your family stay healthy during the dreaded covid outbreak.. and may your golden verses continue to soar (when you have time to put pen to paper) ~Susan

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/26/2024 8:01:00 PM

Dear Susan, So grand to read your kind comments. I am much in my mum's nursing home since her latest fall + broken wrist. The lady of this poem was a stalwart resident who passed recently. Currently there is another Covid outbreak on my mother's wing so we tread carefully in our frequent support. Look after yourself dear poet. May your verses continue to soar. Brian

Tom Woody

Date: 1/26/2024 5:37:00 PM

I missed this somehow. Awesome, yet sad poetry. The lot of many, including my Mary Rogers. Nice Potw choice for sure

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/26/2024 7:51:00 PM

Thank you, Tom, for your considerate, positive take on my small posting. Hopefully, your Mary Rogers received the best of care. Be well. Brian

Gary Radice

Date: 1/26/2024 12:50:00 AM

Be it the elderly lady's journey or life's journey (is this your own mother Brian or a patient at the nursing home?) your words have captured brilliantly in all its rawness the poignancy of growing old and the loss of independence. I was so moved by this poem Brian. Take care. Life can be so stressful sometimes. Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/26/2024 6:43:00 AM

Greetings Gary, My appreciation for your most thoughtful appraisal of my poem. The lady of the piece was a resident of the nursing home but she has passed. I gather that she didn't have close family to purchase new slippers for her. Eventually she wore red socks with support treads on the bottom (provided by the home). Be well. Brian

Ink Empress

Date: 1/19/2024 4:27:00 AM

Happy to see you getting recognized. Congratulations on well deserved POTW

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/19/2024 6:10:00 AM

Thank you Ink Empress for your thoughtful congratulations. Wishing you health + happiness, always. Brian

Deb M

Date: 1/18/2024 1:35:00 AM

Oh my Brian…..your powerful poem has captured the raw reality of ageing and life! Honest, sad and so very real! Just lovely! Congratulations on POTW!! Deservingly so……Debx

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/18/2024 8:19:00 AM

Greetings Deb, Thank you very much for your positive assessment of my poem. I appreciate the time you took to read + comment on my posting. Best wishes, Brian

Christina Bowring

Date: 1/17/2024 6:58:00 AM

Many congratulations Brian on POTW with such a well written, emotive and touching poem. It’s a very sensitive, observational piece that captures the obstacles, hurdles and challenges that old age sadly brings. But for many, a fighting spirit still shines within. This is wonderful. Thank you for sharing. Blessings to you.

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/17/2024 7:20:00 AM

Very thoughtful of you to comment so affirmatively on my poem. The nursing home where my mother resides provides so many small scenes of resilience, residents with a "fighting spirit" as you so well note Christina. Thank you for your kind remarks. Brian

Sara Kendrick

Date: 1/17/2024 5:18:00 AM

Congratulations on your work being POTW. Way to go. It is very descriptive and expressive. Sad for a person to get in the condition the character is in, but life happens. Thanks for sharing it with us and for your visit to my page. Sara K

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/17/2024 6:40:00 AM

Hello Sara, I hope your health is fine. Many thanks for your stop by + posted message. Sincerest regards always, Brian

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 1/17/2024 1:44:00 AM

So sensitively and delicately created, warmest congratulations on POTW, Brian

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/17/2024 6:36:00 AM

My appreciation for your supportive words. Thank you for reading + commenting on my small poem. Be well. Brian

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 1/15/2024 4:35:00 PM

Brian, Congrats of POTW, your poem beautifully captures the poignant journey of a soul navigating the complexities of aging. The vivid imagery of tattered slippers, routine, and the heartbeat-like rhythm of life evokes a profound sense of both fragility and resilience. Your words resonate with a deep understanding of the human odyssey. - Blessings, Daniel

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/15/2024 5:09:00 PM

Greetings Daniel, Your analysis of my poem accurately catches the image of the elderly lady I was hoping to share. Thank you for your insights which in themselves, add weigth to my small posting. With appreciation, Brian

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 1/15/2024 1:34:00 PM

So interesting with great imagery! Congratulations on POTW!

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/15/2024 4:11:00 PM

Thanks very much Kim, for your positive assessment of my small poem. I hope all is well with you. All the best, Brian

Brandy Nicole

Date: 1/14/2024 5:23:00 PM

Delicate moments in life matter, every tiny step, along with each whispered heartbeat. Your thoughts are beautiful, tender and emotional, all at the same time. Congratulations Brian, on Poem of the Week. Many wonderful blessings to you. Hugs, Brandy

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/14/2024 7:13:00 PM

Your thoughts, Brandy, are spot on. These precarious moments, tentative steps, heartbeats - all matter. Thank you for your read of my poem + kind comments. Be well. Brian

Nancy Kaufman

Date: 1/14/2024 9:38:00 AM

The imagery is so wonderfully detailed Brian. I can visualize those tiny careful steps of hers. A hearty congratulations on such a well crafted poem of the week.

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/14/2024 12:31:00 PM

My appreciation Nancy, for your stop by and words of congratulations. My objective is to take an image, expand it, + perhaps discover meaning. Perseverance against all physical odds is one possible interpretation here. Be well. Brian

Mark Massey

Date: 1/14/2024 8:57:00 AM

This can describe elderly, very young, disabled, etc., writers that speak specifically about one thing and within that voice expand it universally are rare. Well done Brian

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/14/2024 2:25:00 PM

You are quite right, Mark, in that the struggle to endure, to make the home's dining room table is attributable to a wide range of people. Thank you for your positive feedback on my poem. Be well. Brian

I Am Anaya

Date: 1/14/2024 8:23:00 AM

You're an angel for stepping up to the plate...my partner said. I was in your shoes, sweet Brian, and can relate to your most heartfelt poem, (from reading below). A great venture indeed, caregiving for my father, before he had caregiving, has taught me so much about these realities of dementia and other digressing diseases of the elderly. You've expressed it so well in your terse and perceptive style of writing. Congratulations on your POTW! Health & love, ~Anaya

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/14/2024 8:59:00 AM

Thank you Anaya, for your detailed, supportive message. I hope that you and your father shared many good days despite the draining rush of caregiving responsibilities. I may revise my posting yet as it was a late night write when insomnia pestered me. Take care of yourself. Best wishes always. Brian

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 1/14/2024 7:24:00 AM

Congratulations on your POTW win. I enjoyed reading your "Odyssey" write. Have a great/blessed ~ day/week with your win..............

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/14/2024 8:23:00 AM

Thank you Paula, for your supportive words. Look after yourself dear fellow poet. Brian

Vijay Pandit

Date: 1/14/2024 5:38:00 AM

A theme forlorn, yet true to life. Your poem feels so heartfelt--so touching! BIG congrats on POTW, Brian.

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/14/2024 7:18:00 AM

Your encouraging, affirmative words are a jolt of energy to my pen. Thank you Vijay for your uplifting remarks. Sincerest regards always, Brian

Tania Kitchin

Date: 1/14/2024 5:20:00 AM

Brian, a powerful poem, so true to life and aging, congratulations on POTW.

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/14/2024 7:17:00 AM

Thank you Tania, for your stop by and congratulatory message. Best wishes, Brian

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 1/14/2024 4:54:00 AM

I don't know how I missed this poem earlier; wish I hadn't for it's a deep and emotional poem and one I can relate to. Your words describe the scene at the facility where my aunt and uncle now live. Your words remind me of her...her odyssey is just getting to the cafeteria three times a day. Breaks my heart. An accurate and gut-wrenching creation, Brian. Congrats on a well-deserved POTD

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/14/2024 7:16:00 AM

Greetings Sara, You are most thoughtful + supportive in your comments on my posting. Thank you. I have no idea how my small piece became poem of the week. Algorithm fluke? Take care. Hope 2024 heralds a grand year for all soupers. Brian

Tom Cunningham

Date: 1/14/2024 4:48:00 AM

What many of us consider the norm, there are those less able would indeed see it as an odyssey. Congratulations to you Brian on this week's POTW honour. Tom

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/14/2024 7:12:00 AM

Thanks very much for your words of recognition, Tom. Much appreciated. I hope all is well with you. Cheers, Brian

Silent One

Date: 1/12/2024 1:12:00 PM

Congratulations on your placement in the contest..

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/12/2024 1:20:00 PM

Thank you Silent One for your congratulatory note on an unexpected placement as the poem needs some revision. Sincerest regards, Brian

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 1/12/2024 10:28:00 AM

- An excellent deep poem, Brian - Congratulations on your win in the contest -

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/12/2024 2:31:00 PM

Hello Anne-Lise, I hope that all is well with you. Your stop by + thoughtful congratulations are much appreciated. Look after yourself as we push through these winter, darker days. Best wishes, Brian

Ink Empress

Date: 1/12/2024 5:41:00 AM

Congratulations on your win brian, im pleased to see this meaningful poem score high in the contest . Well deserved

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/12/2024 6:27:00 AM

You are most kind in connecting with poets to recognize a poetic effort. With many thanks, Brian

Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 1/12/2024 4:27:00 AM

it's so good to see you posting again, brian! this is written in your own very unique style, and as always the authentic, emotional content is there, and your closing lines are strong (i think you meant 'breathe' in the final line?) congrats on your win in my contest!

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/12/2024 6:21:00 AM

My appreciation for the recognition, Charlotte and for the correction. One shouldn't rush a posting. I am much under stress these days so I have drifted from the pen. However, your open ended contests are a creative push to so many soupers. Thank you again for seeing value + merit in my lines. Be well. Brian

Bill Baker

Date: 1/11/2024 4:41:00 PM

Deep and insightful, Brian. It resonates with many I would think, as it does with me as I approach 80. Your words paint an accurate picture of the condition well. We each experience our own odyssey and understanding another's make not even be possible. Thought-provoking poetry, my friend. I enjoy the read. A FAV for my list! Have a great week! Bill

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/11/2024 8:55:00 PM

Hello Bill. I hope that all is well with you. Thank you for your kind remarks. I edited the poem somewhat before posting. I eliminated references to the woman's cane. I've seen some remarkable folks at my mother's nursing home. Take care of yourself. We've a winter to get through. With appreciation, Brian

Constance La France

Date: 1/10/2024 12:57:00 AM

Brian, such an emotional write, your poem touched me deeply. I am so sorry you missed entering my contest and want you to know that this poem would have been a winner and is a winner to me, and a FAV, blessings, Constance

Brian Sambourne
Date: 1/10/2024 6:49:00 AM

Greetings Constance, Thank you sincerely for your affirmative recognition. Assisting my mother at the nursing home for so many months is tiring. I don't write as often as I once did. Fatigue dangles its price tag. Hopefully, I will meet future deadlines. Wishing you good days of health + happiness. Brian