Ernie - A Poem

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

This is the third and final poem in my series about the many faces of death. From working in the care home with the elderly, these things usually happened in three's, and this is another completely different view.

This poem is about Ernie. He lived in the home with his wife, Kath, and he was a jolly chap who was always singing. Ernie's death in particular touched me, because his was the first one I witnessed first hand, he literally died in my arms...

Ernie,

Blue eyes that sparkled,

When you sang your song,

I didn't really know you well,

You'd not been with us long,

Your wife who'd sit next to you

Was the one who you adored,

She loved you too

With all her heart,

Never looking bored...

When you flirted with the girls...

One morning

In your room I came

To offer you my help,

Your wife,

(Kathy was her name)

Was already getting up.

Look at Ernie

She asked of me

I don't think he's very well

He's in his bed

Ignoring me

Like he's under a spell!

I came to look

And saw that you

Were lying in your bed,

Ernie, you alright my dear?

I think that's what I said...

You looked at me

And smiled your smile,

I feel a little rough,

Just leave me here

For a while

I don't feel like getting up.

I asked you lot's of questions to

See if I had to call

A doctor or an ambulance

Or if you'd had a fall

You said

No,

Just help me to the loo

That's all I need for now

Then back to bed,

To sleep I think

If you will allow...

Then Ernie, love

What happened next

Still haunts me to this day,

For as we walked

Towards the loo

You leaned on me some way

That wasn't right,

You see.

As I caught you in my arms

We landed on the bed,

You lay across my lap

Somehow,

And I was cradling your head.

I called for help

A nurse came in

And went straight off to phone

An ambulance

Double quick

No time to mess around

Except it was too late

Wasn't it Ernie!

For as I looked

Your lovely eyes

Went dull as they could be

I saw you,

Love,

Leave yourself

Your essence,

Soul,

Energy.

And that was it

For you

I see.

Death,

For you,

Came out of the blue,

No warning

Really,

Only you,

Feeling a little rough...

Your spirit was a happy one

And while you lived

You sang your song,

You spread your joy

All day long,

And loved your wife

You did belong.

I'm happy that I met you

Love,

And for you the end was quick,

That sparkle in your clear blue eyes

For me will always stick

In my mind

And my dreams

When I remember

You, Ernie.

For me, writing these poems has at times been tough. It's out of my comfort zone to write "serious" poetry and this subject has been a real challenge, and emotional to boot!

I hope I've done the people in each poem justice, as these are my tributes to some wonderful characters that I have met along the way on my path of life. By talking about their different ends, I hope to make a new beginning, where living is paramount, and worrying about Death, which is inevitable, however he takes us, is not on the agenda. Staying healthy and living life to the full is the only ticket in my(humble) opinion.

Thank you for reading my poems, I hope you've enjoyed them.