Chilly nights
by Elouise
Chilly nights
Warmish days
Clock ticking
Daylight fading
Mind numbs
Heart beats
Seconds down
End game
Winning score
Closed door
No exit
Straight ahead
Bells chime
Midnight falls
I’m just back from another round of blood-letting. Mine, that is. Seventeen vials again. Peanuts next to what the Red Cross takes (from others, not from me)—100 vials give or take a few.
Nonetheless, after every blood draw I feel like a survivor when I stand up on my own two feet, put my jacket on and walk out the door fully conscious of who I am and where I am. Last time it was a beautiful picture in a well-lit room across the hall that kept me focused.
This time the lights were off across the hall, so I closed my eyes and reverted to my old standby—Psalm 23. I silently repeated this Psalm to myself as a child when I felt anxious or afraid.
I’m not sure what to make of the words at the top. They came dropping into my mind when I sat down to write. Nonetheless, they likely reflect my current focus on the last chapter of my life, now ticking away one minute, one short line, one day at a time.
I also hear an acknowledgement that death is inevitable. I’d rather talk about it than keep it in one of my closets. They’re already full of other stuff I can’t take with me.
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 1 October 2018
Image found at metmuseum.org; European clock about 1735-40
Ooo, what a great “poem” and reflection, Elouise! My favorite part was the last little paragraph: talking about death (and other things), rather than keeping it in the closet…Thank you – again and again and again. I am becoming a broken record of gratitude! 🙂
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You’re welcome Debbie! When you called this morning I was almost ready to post this….couldn’t believe it. Thanks so much for your comments and support. Cheerleaders are vastly underrated! 🙂
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I love your poetry.
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Thank you kindly, Herminia. 🙂
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this is great, the words and particularly the end about the closet and taking things with you, ❤ ❤ ❤
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Yep. So much we can’t take with us. And so much we don’t want to leave behind….hugs.
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Hugs and more hugs, happy Friday Super E and hey to Lucy too💕
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You mightn’t be able to make out the words up top but I thought they were rather good ,.
In my 84 year, I suppose I should be thinking in days, rather than years,
Sometimes, rarely I wonder just how many I have left.
Then I think of John Adams, he went from 1735 ’til 1825, and I’m going for 1935 to 2025, perhaps the 24th May; Empire Day!
Well he went out on Independence Day so only right I go on Empire Day. 😀
Love that clock
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I love your plan, Brian! Though I also hope you live long and prosper, no matter the day of your departure. 😊🌹
Alas, I don’t see any words up top. 😟
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lines 3,4,5,6 &11 get me
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Old age can be a tough taskmaster. Hoping this finds you and Coco well.
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He’s recovering from the big operation and is very down at the moment. I’ll be doing another update later today, with more photo’s of his poor leg/foot.
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I’ll take a look tomorrow. Thanks for the update. 😟💐
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