Symbiosis

"Each experience is locked within my heart and only I hold the key..."

“Dad, I’m going to straighten your closet for you,” 
my wife said as she set upon the task of pulling out his 
clothes and refolding and re-hanging each item.
“I have to go to the John.” was his reply.
“OK, you go. Need help?” she asked him.
“No.” Into the bathroom he went.
Immediately out he came again.
“Can you help me with my pants?”
“Sure dad, there you go.”
Back in again but leaving the door wide open this time.
She closed it and went back to the closet.
“Why don’t they put his things back the way they should go?”
Fold, hang, arrange.
“Dad are you OK in there? Do you need help?”
“No. Can you come in and help me with my pants?”
“Dad, you have them on backwards.
That’s why you can’t find the zipper. Here let me help.”
Out they both come. 
A successful mission.
“What do you think of your closet now?”
“Wow! I have the best looking closet in the whole place.”
“Yes you do. I’m going to talk to them about keeping it that way.”
Out the door she goes. 
A new purpose. 
Making things better for her dad.
“She’ll give them hell,” he said to me.
We watched the news for a while and then he got up.
He went to the closet and pulled out some clothes.
After unfolding them and looking at them he stuffed them back in.
Not in the right place. 
He sat down and smiled.

Tony Lane
A Fragment Of Life contest
Written 8/20/11
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

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

Dietrich Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 1:04 AM
Lovingly crafted poem, Tony. My mom lived twelve years with this until the state made her put my stepdad in the rest home. It's a horrible thing how bad it gets. Congrats on your win.
Ramage Avatar
August 27, 2011 at 6:43 PM
Oh, that was a great story. Sounds like my mother, she had dementia. Sad to see our loved ones age. Well done, and congratulations on your win. Lee
Poetess Avatar
August 27, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Congrats on your win in contest. Magnificent insight in cleaning and messing up closets. Love and Blessings, Glenna
Villanueva Avatar
August 27, 2011 at 4:28 AM
super CONGRATS for your 1st place in the contest~~~~smile~~~*_*junjun
La France Avatar
August 26, 2011 at 5:04 PM
Congratulations Tony, on a wonderful poem and first place in my contest~~
Guzzi Avatar
August 26, 2011 at 4:55 PM
ahhh I'm bawling...I remembe doing this kinda stuff for my Mom in the nursing home...I took all her blouses to the cleaners to be freshly ironed she liked to look spiffy, I bought her silk PJ's [from China!]dern folks almost lost them! BUt she really wanted me to just COME & do the stuff for her. THANK YOU! Congrad's Light & Love
Beadnall Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 5:14 PM
Nice one on your top billing mate blessings from Paul
Horne Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 4:54 PM
Many congrats to you, Tony : )
Brown Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 2:13 PM
Congratulations on your well deserved placement in Constance's "A Fragment of Life" contest Tony. Love, Carol
Onclaud Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 12:16 PM
so proud of you, tomy!...sunny congrats on your special win :) huggs
Kendrick Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 12:06 PM
Congrats on your win in this great contest.Sara
Sweetheart Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Congrats Tony on your first place win... honored to be sharing first with u ..excellent poetry luv..
Johnson Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Well done Tony. congratulations on your big win. Joyce
Quigley Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Really well written. Congratulations on your win Tony
Williams Avatar
August 25, 2011 at 9:33 AM
hey Tony congrats on a great win David
Brown Avatar
August 23, 2011 at 4:21 PM
I must tell you there have been so many diverse poems shared here at PoetrySoup yesterday and this morning that I am just now being able to read. Each one is a treasure to the poet who wrote it. It is a pleasure to me to be able to read them. I am so happy yours was among the ones I have read today Tony. Love, Carol
Ross Jr. Avatar
August 22, 2011 at 9:39 PM
witty and fun write lovely Lady Tony....good luck on contest....with love...old Jack
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