Ruby - A Poem

This poem is inspired by PHILLYDREAMER's weekly poetry challenge "The Faces of Death".

For many years I worked with the elderly in care, many of whom suffered with dementia and other health problems. In this environment, death is never far away, and although months would go by with no-one passing away, suddenly there would be a spate of deaths (usually three) in close succession to each other.

Working as closely with death as I did gave me a unique perspective on the subject. I would never say you get "hardened to it" because that's not true, but getting job satisfaction from ensuring someone's passing was dignified, and they were as comfortable as possible, became the best way to deal with it. We never left anyone alone who was dying, if their families were not there, then one of us would be, so I witnessed many final breaths.

As I said, death usually came in three's (this could also include the budgie or the cat), so I'm going to write three poems on this subject, all different experiences of death from the care home I used to work in.

This poem is about Ruby, a lady who lived with us in the home for 9 years before she passed away. She was a fantastic character, with a sharp wit and a good heart, and loved dearly by all of us! Her family also loved her dearly, and not a day went by in all of the 9 years she lived in the home that one or more of them did not visit her, and they were with her at the end.

"Self praise is no reward"

You used to say

And you'd thank the Lord

For every day

Trying hard

To find a way

To make sense of things

Come what may.

Dementia,

While it stole your mind,

It couldn't take

The love inside

Of you

Or your witty tongue,

Playing

With the young,

You did belong

To us.

Ruby

When you said to me

"We'll meet in heaven"

I could see

The light was fading

From your eyes,

Tired you were

And no surprise

At ninety seven

Years of age

Then one day

You stayed in bed

Didn't want to get up

You said.

Respect your wishes

So we did.

Love

Plays it's final game

And as we sat and watched you fade

Our hearts were breaking

All the same

DEATH

Inevitable and true

Always does what he has to do,

But not as quickly

As he should...

For Ruby

Lying in her bed

A waiting game

For Deaths sweet head

To appear

And move her on

To the next

World unknown.

But as the timepiece

Ticks away

Fear takes hold

And does betray

The faith

That she's had all her life,

That's kept her strong

Through love

And strife...

A week goes by

We hold your hand,

Deaths rattle

Warning

That the sands

Of time

Are running out for you

My dear

Please don't fear

What's to come

For love surrounds you

And your son

And family

Are sitting here

Unable to bear

Their suffering

As death draws near.

Then clarity!

First time in years

Your eyes open

Not in fear

True and clear

A smile appearing on your lips

Your final breath

Deaths sweet kiss.