At Death's Door

"At Death's Door" | Login/Create an Account | 33

Threshold -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Nested Flat Thread Oldest First Newest First Highest Scores First

The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.

Oh Sandy, tis a heartbreaker you've written here... as soon as I read the "corridor description" I felt I knew where you were taking me to visit. Thankfully we have no family members entombed... but I know it's rampant everywhere. Really an excellent poem perfectly constructed.
Best wishes, Mary Ann

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Friday, October 30, 2009 (07:23:34)

Thanks so much Mary Ann - mistreatment of our elders is a national tragedy in this country I believe. The very people who cared for us and put us first, are now being abandoned. Thanks for looking at this one and, as always, for your insightful comments. I'm so glad you liked it.

Sandy


Reply to This | Parent

Wow! A real eye opener. I'll think of this poem when my parents get that old. It almost made me cry....

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Friday, October 30, 2009 (07:25:15)

Thank you so much. It was written from the heart. Appreciate your taking time to check it out.

Sandy


Reply to This | Parent

This is so sad..... Its the truth though that we turn our backs to. I just love the way you've put it. Whats as worse as abandoning people who are the very reason for what we are.... Loved your poem. Great work. Will look forward to more of your poems... Thanks - Unbound

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Friday, October 30, 2009 (10:16:15)

Gosh, Unbound, thanks so much for the nice words. I'm a bit of a late starter in the writing area, but find it so calming and centering. I appreciate your thoughts very much.

Sandy


Reply to This | Parent

Very well expressed.

On a side note - families are frequently not in control of nursing-home placements. Physicians and hospitals discharge incapacitated elderly to nursing placements instead of family if the family can't provide 24hr licensed nursing care - and few can financially. It's quite a painful circumstance.

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Friday, October 30, 2009 (12:38:17)

Hi beryls - thanks so much for the comments. I agree with you totally, and my family was actually in those circumstances many years ago - when my father was diagnosed with Alzheimers (they didn't even have that name for it yet). He had to be placed somewhere simply because he was becoming a danger to himself and to others. I guess I was talking more about the families who just seem to "forget" about their parents once they are in a facility - this is what I can't conceive of. I know that most facilities do the best they can - being understaffed, etc. Again, thank you so much for responding.

Sandy


Reply to This | Parent

an exhilarating, yet saddening read..the picture was all there in it's suttle eeriness;) q

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Friday, October 30, 2009 (18:09:54)

Thanks q - I suppose the fact that it's so real makes it even sadder. Appreciate your comments and for taking the time!!
Sandy


Reply to This | Parent

Absolutely outstanding! A fabulous write WordLover. Fond Regards. Mark.

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Friday, October 30, 2009 (18:11:02)

I am honored that you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to read -means a lot!

Sandy


Reply to This | Parent

This is so very descriptive Sandy, it paints such a beautiful picture in my head.
The picture being beautiful, not the odor of urine and ammonia :\

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Friday, October 30, 2009 (21:37:07)

Thank you so much forwind14 - appreciate your taking the time to read and comment!
Sandy


Reply to This | Parent

The last stanza is especially sad. But nice work L_C

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Saturday, October 31, 2009 (06:17:32)

L_C - when you have had someone you love die in one of those facilities, and there is nothing you could have done differently since they were unable to care for themselves, you have the opportunity to observe the lost souls who really have no one. Thank you for reading and your kind comment.

Sandy


Reply to This | Parent

Oh I really like This...very well done

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Saturday, October 31, 2009 (20:50:56)

Dreaming-Demon - thanks for taking the time to read my work. It's very much appreciated!!

Sandy (WordLover)


Reply to This | Parent

a social comentary of emense proportions, another huge industry in the US..........good write

This is sad. I did a internship at a elderly home here in Germany and decided my mom is NEVER going to end up in one. I was there for 2 weeks and they way they treated those poor people was inhumane.

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Sunday, November 01, 2009 (22:55:39)

You know my Dad had to go into a facility here in Va. when he was in the stages of Alzheimers. This was quite a long time ago, and they didn't have a name for it then. But, he became angry and violent and we were afraid for him and most afraid for my Mom living with him. He had family who loved him and who visited, etc., but the saddest situations are with the families who have pretty much abandoned their parents - just stuck them away to die. It is truly tragic. Thanks so much for reading and as always for your kind comments.

Sandy


Reply to This | Parent

G'day Sandy...
Heart wrenching poem Sandy. God's waiting room should be a warm and peaceful environment. Sadly the budget in many cases decides the outcome.
Thank you for sharing Sandy.

Lindsay

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 (20:35:11)

Again, thank you Lindsay - I believe most of the facilities do the best they can with what they have to work with money-wise. What breaks my heart the most are the "forgotten" ones who for whatever reasons have no one to care if they live or die. That's a tragedy! Again, many thanks.

Sandy


Reply to This | Parent

Thankyou sandy you have inspired me to save my money and build a granny flat for my parents so I can care for them myself thanks again beautiful work
take care my friend
Shazza x

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Sunday, November 08, 2009 (12:47:32)

Thank you Shazza - it is such a sad way for so many to end their lives. I realize that in a lot of cases, there is no choice, they must have proper care - but as I've said in answer to someone else's comments, I feel the tragedy is for the many who literally have been abandoned by their children. That breaks my heart.

Sandy


Reply to This | Parent

People are forgotten everyday... Some from the time they are born... If they are given time to be born... Some put in institutions to wait on death... Then death takes it on time... BWP... James... Sad write... Well done... But words cannot make the facts beautiful... 10....

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 (14:46:45)

James - you are so right - some people forgotten from the time they are born. It's a very sad fact of life unfortunately. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and to rate this poem.

Sandy


Reply to This | Parent

wow super poem sandy, and so well written. and so sad. best wishes, conor

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 (14:47:43)

Thank you so very much conor - for your kind comments. Much appreciated.

Sandy


Reply to This | Parent

Sunken, empty eyes silently convey the message
I’m still here – I’m still me
That broke my heart.. My, so sad!
One of my biggest fears, for my parents, myself, anyone close to me really.
Beautiful write..
Eva

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 (16:08:51)

Thank you so much Eva - it means so much to me when my words can move someone even a little bit. My Mom, God Bless her, was able to stay with family until her death at 93. She had all her mental capacities still, her little body just gave out. But my Dad was a different story, unfortunately, he had Alzheimers way before they even knew what to call it, and had to be put into a facility for his own safety and also because my Mom could no longer care for him. I wrote "Going Home" for my Mom and The Silent Good-bye about my Dad, if you have a free moment to read. I'd love your input. Again, many thanks.

Take care/Sandy


Reply to This | Parent

I worked in nursing homes for years, a long time ago.Your images so sharp and clear. For some, it was dumping of the elderly, as you write, but for others, it was because, they sort of deserved it. Abusive alcoholic parents, nasty low-life's, all of life's humans gathered in one place. Most people were good, but there were some who were so impossible and mean-spirited that even their own family could not tolerate them! Interesting twist, huh?

Re: At Death's Door (Score: 1 ) by WordLover on Thursday, December 10, 2009 (20:27:11)

I am certain you are right. When I would visit my father, I can remember vividly some of the people there who were exactly the way you describe, and you couldn't help but think that they had to have been this way for a long time. Definitely a different twist, and I thank you for that.

Sandy


Reply to This | Parent