Notes About The Poem

Inspiration behind the poem was from taking my elderly mother for a walk in the grounds of her care home and having to have the alarm deactivated ... yet there is no visible alarm on the main entrance doors

 

Original title was PLAYGROUND MEMORIES 

Pathos

Nobody observes her leaving her room wearing just her nightdress and red felt carpet slippers Shuffling silently she slips out of the front door onto the street Rivulets of rain start to soak her to the skin Her straggly hair hangs down limply It becomes so matted and twisted Soon it looks like writhing snakes are alive on her skull Her once pretty face is now lined and wrinkled Rain drips off the crevices and onto her sagging breasts Wandering off into the night she begins searching Walking the empty streets with her arms outstretched Searching, searching, desperately searching Eventually she reaches the children’s playground Sitting on a swing she rocks backwards and forwards The rhythmic movement seems to calm her down Tears form in her eyes and mingle with the raindrops Strong arms hold her and she is powerless to resist She hears voices telling her she must return home ‘We knew you’d eventually find your way here Maisie It’s time to return to the sanatorium … In future we will make sure the door alarm is activated’ 10~19~15 N/A in previous contest Submitted to screwed XI Sponsored by Rob Carmack Sponsor Nathan D Title amended and submitted to ''P'' Contest, New or Old Poetry Contest sponsored by Constance La France
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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12
La France Avatar
October 5, 2021 at 8:16 AM
Jan, congratulations on your win in my "P" contest with this wonderful poem, so well done, it happens often in care homes I think ~ love and serenity _Constance
Kauffman Avatar
October 4, 2021 at 1:42 PM
Jan, congratulations on your win. This has deeply touched my heart my friend. We are once, and forever, little kids at heart always seeking out that place where children play. Pathos perfectly penned! So nicely done. Hugs!
Kerr Avatar
September 29, 2021 at 6:40 AM
Hi Jan, Congratulations on your podium 1 placement with a deeply personal ode. A timeless work of artistic integrity. Warmth Howard
Dietrich Avatar
September 28, 2021 at 5:35 PM
I'm glad to see you at last get a win with this one, my friend. BIG congrats to you.
Mandani Avatar
September 27, 2021 at 4:59 PM
This is pretty good, Jan. Real pathos in it.
Evans Avatar
September 27, 2021 at 4:19 PM
Congratulations. So poignant. It is sad to think that some of the care facilities for the aged are not so well organized that some things slip.
Peck Avatar
September 27, 2021 at 2:54 PM
Oh, Jan - that had me in tears. It's so sad what happens to us. Bless your sweet mom. Congratulations on your well-deserved win! And I hope they fixed the alarm!
Goldsmith Avatar
September 27, 2021 at 1:51 PM
Congratulations on your win. What a beautiful yet sad story/write. It is hard to get old. I have seen so much of it. So sad. Have a blessed day with your win...............
Ray Choudhury Avatar
September 27, 2021 at 1:34 PM
Congratulations, Jan. This poem is truly touching. I can, with sadness, imagine happening what you have described - I could feel the pathos. Love and best wishes ~ Mala
Poet Avatar
September 27, 2021 at 1:31 PM
Jan, congratulations on your top win; you deserved it with your well-written poem; I hope you and your mother are doing well; my prayers are with you.
Kimathi Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 7:58 AM
Hi Jan. Congrats on your sweet WIN in the contest!!! ;-)
Allison Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 1:24 PM
Many thanks Teddy:-) hugs Jan xx
A   Avatar
March 7, 2016 at 12:09 PM
Awesome win. Pd
Allison Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 1:24 PM
Many thanks Linda:-) hugs Jan xx
Williams Avatar
March 1, 2016 at 10:43 PM
Jan, this touched me in a place I had thought was closed off. Thanks. Congratulations on your win. Well done.
Allison Avatar
March 2, 2016 at 3:53 AM
Mum is a care home and many of the residents either have dementia or simply do not leave their rooms - I just imagined someone leaving their room and where they would go to to remember happier times:-( hugs Jan xx
May Avatar
March 1, 2016 at 6:26 PM
Congrats on your win Jan
Allison Avatar
March 2, 2016 at 3:51 AM
Thanks so much Joseph:-) hugs Jan xx
Yvonne Avatar
November 17, 2015 at 4:05 PM
A brilliant write my sweet,sweet Jan. An absolute fav for me. My goodness do I ever miss you. Love always, Armand.
Allison Avatar
November 17, 2015 at 4:10 PM
Oh Armand how wonderful to see you back here my friend :-) you and your family are always in my thoughts and prayers:-) love and hugs as ever:-) Jan xx
Gentry Avatar
November 13, 2015 at 1:20 PM
This took me right back to when my mom was a resident for a brief time before her death in 2012. She'd ask where my sisters and their families were, etc. I cherish every moment with her. You touched my heart with this and congrats. A really winning creation!
Allison Avatar
November 13, 2015 at 1:23 PM
Thanks Susan - mum is now in a care home she has memory issues following a fall in 2009 but not dementia - I wrote this after having to get a code to go into the garden but the main door does not have any visible security system but there is a 'beep' when you got through it so there is probably CCTV that I cannot see:-) hugs Jan xx
Eastman Avatar
October 24, 2015 at 11:44 AM
Congratulations. A very sad poem... But very well writen. Until my Great Aunt Cora died at 107... I spent lots of time in the nursing home visiting her... No one else came.
Allison Avatar
October 24, 2015 at 11:51 AM
It's heartbreaking Carol mum calls some of the resident' the living dead' on never even leaves her room for meals :-( hugs jan xx
Tor Avatar
October 23, 2015 at 2:53 AM
Jan congratulations. for POTD
Allison Avatar
October 23, 2015 at 4:52 AM
Thanks Michael - getting POTD for this particular poem is very special to me and it couldn't have come at a better time:-) hugs jan xx
Manassian Avatar
October 22, 2015 at 10:19 PM
I'm so glad to see this poem make it as POTD, dear. It really spoke to my heart. Incidentally, I dreamt about my Mama last night. It was good to see her even though she was still struggling with her illness, at least she was alive and I could spend time with her....if only in my dream. Congrats, sweetie. Love ya.
Allison Avatar
October 23, 2015 at 4:51 AM
Aww Eileen I know how much you miss her - am so lucky I still have mine - I get so much inspiration from mum and from observing life in her care home:-) hugs jan xx
Haight Avatar
October 22, 2015 at 7:38 AM
Hi Jan, a belated congrats on your Poem Of The Day! Such sad imagery of a truth that happens all too often, and you have put it to words so emotionally. Hugs, Sandra
Allison Avatar
October 22, 2015 at 7:48 AM
Thanks Sandra it meant a great deal to be awarded POTD for this particular poem - I don't think it is dark and deep enough for the contest but it is getting so many reads and comments and that is the main thing:-) hugs Jan xx
Konos Avatar
October 22, 2015 at 7:19 AM
This poem is like no other that I could have imagined. The perspective has an angle that cannot be seen, as in a mystery, envisioned by another's memory. This is gold Jan
Allison Avatar
October 22, 2015 at 7:25 AM
Thanks Judy - I get so much inspiration from visiting mum:-) hugs Jan xx
Walker  Avatar
October 21, 2015 at 10:38 PM
Awesome poem Jan... Enjoyed reading it... Verlena
Allison Avatar
October 22, 2015 at 2:01 AM
thanks so much Verlena:-) hugs Jan xx
Inman Avatar
October 21, 2015 at 9:14 PM
Great POTD Jan.
Allison Avatar
October 22, 2015 at 2:01 AM
Thanks James:-) hugs Jan xx
Roper Avatar
October 21, 2015 at 4:15 PM
Awesome write,Jan,congratulations on poem of the day!!!
Allison Avatar
October 21, 2015 at 6:56 PM
it has made my day Eve:-) hugs jan xx
Smith Avatar
October 21, 2015 at 3:16 PM
Congratulations Jan....well deserved
Allison Avatar
October 21, 2015 at 6:56 PM
Thanks Tim:-) hugs jan xx
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