RALLENTANDA

Friday, December 15, 2023

Friday Writings # 107...SHADORMA

some of you

have featured weekly

in my life

for ten years

you have helped me through some hard times

i thank you truly

(ma i shador all of you)

have a wonderful Christmas

see you next year

God bless you all!

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

What's Going.on ...AGE

CINQUAINS FOR CHRISTMAS

no fun

this ageing thing

people start to pop off

leaving us unexpectedly

too sad

no time

for reflection

just trying to survive

the slings and arrows hurled at us

by life

advice

take it slowly

day by day gratitude

deo gratias for nature's

fine gifts

blue sky

raindrops on leaves

a kookaburra's laugh

the drama of a stormy night

thank you

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

KIMO POETRY for Tanka Tuesday

KIMO POETRY

For the southern hemisphere:

#1: “beach umbrellas in the sand” (7 syllables)

#2: “summer celebrations” (6 syllables)

#3: “scorching summer sunshine” (6 syllables)

thirsty sunflowers wilt in the fierce heat

dying for a needed drink

scorching summer sunshine

it's an aussie thing christmas at the beach

plenty of cold beers and cheers

summer celebrations

a typical summer scene down under

beach umbrellas in the sand

folk cool off in the sea

Thursday, December 7, 2023

CHRISTMAS 1985... BY JOHN GRAY

Christmas week 1985 I was shadowing a community psychiatric nursing sister with her caseload in the deprived and depressing northern town of Runcorn.
Through a succession of faceless maisonettes, we sat on grubby sofas and listened to sad stories of loneliness, mental illness and substance abuse and I watched as my mentor tried her best to keep heads above water and bums out of the local psychiatric unit.

The last visit of the day was to a woman called Jean.
Jean lived alone in the top of a ten story complex. She had suffered from severe mental health problems for forty years and had recently been placed in her home from long term psychiatric care only a few months before.

I remember her flat very well. There was no carpet in the hall and the living room but there was a tiny white tinsel Christmas tree standing on top of a large black and white tv. A homemade fabric stocking was hung on the fire surround and just two Christmas cards were perched on the mantle.
( one of those cards having been sent by my colleague) The flat was sparse but incredibly clean and it was evident that Jean had been waiting for our visit all day.

In mismatching cups we were offered coffee with powdered milk and a single mince pie served on a paper plate and I remember sharing a sad glance with the nurse when Jean presented us both with gifts hastily wrapped in cheap Christmas paper. My gift was two placemats with photos of cats on them. The nurse received a small yellow vase, and I remember Jean beaming with delight when we both thanked her effusively for her kindness.

When we washed up our own cups, the nurse quietly checked the fridge, noting that several of the shelves were empty . There was a calender on the wall with the note " NURSE COMES TODAY" written on that day's date. Nothing else was written on it until the week of new year's eve, where the same sentence was written.

It was the very first time that I had experienced someone who was so totally isolated in a community setting and it shocked me to the core.

I listened as the nurse talked about medication, as I waited patiently and when she took Jean into the bedroom to administer a regular injection I noticed a carrier bag which the nurse had tucked away by the side of the arm chair shortly after we arrived. In it was a package of cold meat, milk , bread and what looked like chocolates and a cake.
Before we left, we let Jean monopolize her only conversation of the week and as she retrieved our coats, I watched and grew a few years older as the nurse silently slipped a five pound note behind one of the cards on the mantle.

Posted on John Going Gently Blog

too much sadness

out there

crippling alonesss

suffered by too many

there are a few angels

who make a difference

and through their kindness

love and generosity

make this world

a better place

God bless them