When I Talk To You

When I talk to you, I'm talking to the wall -
to photos arranged across from where you hung the paintings
made by your own two hands. 
Set behind the dusty glass of antiquated frames,
the photos tell of family, heritage, and you
in your youthful glory. . . of you with dark lush locks
that framed the face of a rose in bloom

When I talk to you, I'm talking to the birds -  
two sweet parakeets now more than a decade old.
The cage is not as clean as it was when you were in your prime
and all was immaculate!
Now someone else is caring for these birds
which tilt their little heads and inquisitively peer at me 
as if to ask: Are we supposed to understand?
Silence meets my ears.

When I talk to you, I'm talking to the air.
Today it smells of antiseptics, and your room is stifling.
I push you in your wheelchair to your garden, 
where breath of spring awaits us.

I talk to you, but we do not converse.
I look into your eyes grown pale.
Their empty stare seems fixed upon the roses.             
I gently pluck one up
and place it in your thinning snow white hair
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Beaufort Avatar
December 18, 2023 at 8:04 AM
Andrea, thanks for the link to this. My mom has Alzheimers and your work is taking me to the sad part of it all. It's not bad to be sad about things like this and I appreciate the change to travel to a place you can take me to.
Anaya Avatar
December 16, 2023 at 11:29 AM
This sweet Andrea resonates with me and so many others, I'm sure of it. I'm glad you shared it in Suzettes contest. Imagery of the birds in their cages, and the ending which insured us that there is a very special moment with a loved one. Genius! Congratulations on your win! Hugs & Warmest wishes for the Holidays! I Am Anaya
Watson Avatar
March 3, 2019 at 1:56 PM
Andrea, this poem is so moving and whether it is written from true experience or not, will touch many people with its poignancy. I feel so grateful that my own Mum though in her eighties is still so well but have other relatives which suffered from the symptoms you have described. Congratulations on your win,Andrea.
Dietrich Avatar
March 3, 2019 at 3:12 PM
It's a very sad thing. Though this is fictional, I know people who have gone through this and it's horrible. (my stepdad was one)
Toney Avatar
March 3, 2019 at 12:10 PM
Andrea, this lovely free verse brought tears to my eyes. To me it captures the bitter sweet nature of caregiving for our loved ones, of which my wife and I have had our share. It has to be a Fav for me. Congratulations on your win on Mile 21 of my 2019 Poetry Marathon Contest! Thank you so much for supporting my contests. By continuing to place in the contests you are accumulating points toward the final. ~Mark
Cornish Avatar
March 3, 2019 at 12:07 PM
Heart rending Andrea. Writes like yours are why we need poets to help us with those perspectives we too often struggle to find as you have done here.
Dietrich Avatar
March 3, 2019 at 3:13 PM
Thanks, Craig.
Inman Avatar
March 30, 2017 at 8:34 AM
A beautiful sad write Andrea.
Canerdy Avatar
March 16, 2017 at 7:47 PM
Your beautiful poem made me tear up--and smile, Andrea. Congrats on your placement! Janice
Scars Avatar
March 16, 2017 at 7:00 PM
oh my lovely lady Andrea- you stole my heart and gave me such chills! I need a sweater! hehe- but seriously this was so amazingly beautiful is every possible way. I adore your gift of poetry sweet Andrea! thank you and congrats :)-luloo
Devnath  Avatar
May 6, 2016 at 11:14 AM
Congratulation on your win my lovely friend, bl
Nance Avatar
May 4, 2016 at 9:52 PM
I really loved the poem, I didn't like the spacing so much though, but this gave me that eye tingle tear feeling. You're awesome thanks for adding this to the contest it was a pleasure to read :)
Ali Avatar
February 4, 2014 at 9:51 AM
Beautiful...beautiful write Congratulations on the win
Puddifoot Avatar
February 3, 2014 at 6:49 PM
aha, I had a sneaking feeling this one might be yours, andrea! I like how you have used the spacing to emphasize the words, and of course the poignancy of the subject matter makes it a winner with me - congrats on your win in my contest :)
Guzzi Avatar
February 3, 2014 at 5:35 PM
Congrad's on your win. Fine free verse. Light & Love
Roth Avatar
November 16, 2013 at 7:36 AM
The spacing between the words in the lines of this poem bring the imagery to life: "to the garden, where the breath of spring / awaits us." The white space, to me, represented the narrator and the character being embraced by the crisp, vivid brilliance of a spring day. Brilliant work.
Babcock Avatar
September 20, 2013 at 10:22 PM
Very artistic on this poem. I am all empty this week. It has been so busy and I am glad the weekend is here. Maybe get on to the second half of the deck. love phyl
Roth Avatar
September 6, 2013 at 10:38 AM
Your use of line breakage and elliptic pauses is breathtaking. Your artful display of technique made the title of your poem exquisitely appropriate and beautiful. Also, thanks for your positive feedback regarding the poem I entered into Nathan's contest. My poetry is non-linear and visionary. And--more importantly--you seemed to have understood and felt that. Sincerely, Alex
A   Avatar
September 5, 2013 at 3:45 PM
nice layout Andrea... xox..Linda
Kendrick Avatar
September 5, 2013 at 1:02 PM
Congrats on your great win..Sara
Flach Avatar
September 4, 2013 at 3:30 PM
Sad. Touching. Well written. And someday, it may be us with the flower being stuck in our thinning hair. Nice job, Andrea. Well done.
Richards Avatar
September 2, 2013 at 8:18 PM
I knew this tender, emotional poem could not help but place high! It really tugs at my heart! Well done, Andrea!
Hamilton Avatar
September 2, 2013 at 2:49 PM
beautiful poem and pleasing to the eye congrats on your win Shadow x smiles
Yamin Avatar
September 2, 2013 at 12:35 PM
What a marvelous write to win in the Creative Layouts contest of Broken Wings on 8/31/2013. An skillfully written piece expected only from you Andrea. Thanks also for your warm message on the win of my poem My Pen. Surely I'll read your poem on this subject and learn a few things from you. Love. -Mohammad
May Avatar
September 2, 2013 at 8:00 AM
wonderful write Andrea....congrats on your win
Jordan Avatar
September 1, 2013 at 3:45 PM
Another win!! You are amazing. Congratulations... Jack
A  Avatar
September 1, 2013 at 1:42 PM
Andrea, Congratulations on your awesome win....................... SKAT
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