John A'Hern Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Preamble, a friend related this episode on their life, it gave me an insight into those that need help. How do they ask, who do they ask, question after question in her story? She thought she had at last retired from the workforce, a phone call changed all that. Her experience was needed at one of the local elderly living residences, there was an extra challenge, all the residents were physically challenged. By chance, a gardener at the local gardening centre invited her and the residents along for a chat about plants. The changes that came from the visit brought smiles to usually grumpy faces. My Friend was eventually moved on to other challenges, the goodbye waves from the residents, haunt her dreams. My challenge, write a poem, I tried.

Understanding the Need

Retirement, helping with physically challenged
Thinking it through or just ignore it.
Chance provides an opportunity 
Such a sad place, lack of unity
Challenges waited patiently.

Physical challenged Adults, needing understanding
Relaxed environment, hearts are aching.
Adults challenged with daily life
Left on their own, sadness was their companion

What is their challenge?
Elderly living environment, has done its damage
How will they manage?
Such harsh words are spoken
Handicapped description, quite broken.

Communication has its problems
Knowing when to show emotion
Personalities begging for release
Busy, so busy doing their piece,
Another interest surfaces occasionally.

Horticulture such a long word
Delighted when shown this World,
Watching plants grow, a newfound interest
Hours spent talking of them
Frequent visits to show botanical gardens.

Watch their actions, always smiling
They have found the meaning of Spring
Interacting with other people
Shocked at first, time given freely
All good things come to an end.

Why? a question with too many answers
Moved away to supposed happier surroundings
Will miss them all and their questions
Task before her, will never challenge

No goodbye hugs, just a wave.
Too much emotion for some to handle
Stayed in their rooms, sobbing quietly
Would do it all again, challenge will be answered
Thinking of her life’s retirement plans

Thoughts clouding her answers
Difficulty linking life’s jigsaw puzzle pieces
Sitting at a desk, shuffling paper
Staring through windows at all that surrounds her
A silent prayer, a broken voice
Please provide with an answer.

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Marco Chies February 12, 2022 at 5:59 PM A touching piece of lyricism, no doubt.