Memories in the mirror, narrative poetry
Maggie, a seasoned lady stood gazing into the mirror, remembering her happy day's as an efficient and dedicated pediatric nurse
Reconnecting with the children on her ward, precious time spent listening to their fairy-tale books, each one wanting to read, " Oh please just one more verse "
Then sadly remembering little Billy, he'd contracted that dreadful ' polio disease, long before Jonas Salk discovered the life saving vaccine in nineteen fifty two
The ' iron lung ' that kept his faint heart beating, now his kidney's failing, Doctor advising family to allow disconnection, softly requesting, " Do what you must do. "
Then sweet little Stella, a feeling of pride swelling deep inside
Growing stronger each day after daddies' car and train collision, the day her daddy died
So many memories, the sweet and the sour
The mirror taking her back in time to places she cherished..........
The nursing assistant waiting patiently, kindly reminding Maggie, " Are you ready now? Let's go get that shower.
Comments
AUTHORHello Peg. You're very kind. Thank you. I didn't know your mother was a nurse. It's great that you took a picture of her to the facility. Maybe i'll do that if and when i must go. Yuck don't wanna go. Hee. Cheers my friend...
This was right from the heart, Always. You have a way of expressing in so few words the incredible circle of life. You relate to the caregiver's role so beautifully. What a touching poem.
I framed a picture of my Mom in her nurse's uniform and took it to her at the facility where she lives. All the CNAs and Nurses look at her in a different light now.
- AUTHOR
Hello Manatita, i know you have a lot of memories since you are a nurse. I hope you will write about your experiences. I'm glad you found this piece powerful. Thank you so much
Poweful!!
- AUTHOR
Hello Kathryn. I am happy you enjoyed this piece. The mind can be so full of memories. I agree, life is bitter sweet. I love going on Epi's page and rhyming his tales. He is a dear friend. Thank's again...Cheers.
This is a beautiful poem. Even as a younger woman, memories of the past come out every so often. You portrayed the flow of thoughts so well, how the mind goes from one thing to the next. Life is full of both good and bad, painful and sweet. They are all a big part of who we are.
I also like the song you have included. I listened to it as I started commenting. I have never heard that song before.
Thanks for sharing this with us. I will check out more soon. I see you on Colin's page often, and you are very good at making a little poem in the comments. You have got to be talented to come up with something in response to what others write.
Have a wonderful day!
~ Kathryn
- AUTHOR
Hello Thandi, Good to see you again, thank you for commenting, ( unique style ) Cheers...
wOw really sad memories,,,
But well written and the style unique..
- AUTHOR
Hello nighthag, Good memories are special, even the bad can teach us a lesson in life. Thank you. Glad you came by...
- AUTHOR
Hi Cloud, I am thrilled that you enjoyed this piece. A picture can speak a thousand words. Thank you so much....
- AUTHOR
Hello Gals, ' The circle of life ' comment is beautiful. Thank you for coming by....
A lovely glance into the future for us all, thank you for such a loving reminder to cherish our time and live in all our moments as our days today will be the memory that warms us in our tomorrow's.
loved it
I loved this poem by you Ruby, it has life scribed onto the screen here, thick in the memories of loved ones both here, and past. So lovely of you to have written it and to share this jewel of a poem with us all.
Thanks for digging deep within to bring out the best in your poetry. Awesome job! Thumbs up and sharing!
Beautiful. From taking care of someone to being taken care of by someone. The circle of life. We'll always have our memories. Up and beautiful.
- AUTHOR
Hello daydreamer13, I love looking at a picture and then writing about what they may be thinking. This was easy for me because i might be that nurse someday. Thank you for wonderful comments......
You certainly have a way with words to be able to pull out such emotion. Bravo! Well done!
- AUTHOR
Hello Vinaya, I love your reflective comment and i agree. Happy that you liked my poetry. Thank you my friend...
Mind is the mirror of our body, however, we can see our mind reflected in the glass mirror. I loved the story in this poem.
Have a great weekend.
- AUTHOR
Hello Prasetio, Always good to see you visit my page. Thank you for kindness....
- AUTHOR
Hello Ruchira, I think you will be fine in the future, you will have fond memories to remember the good times when you helped your friends on HP....Thank you for sharing....
Excellent...Ruby. How lucky I am to have found this narrative this morning (Indonesia time). Thanks for sharing with us. You always the best. Keep it up!
Prasetio
Gosh...makes me wonder what my future holds in store.
Beautiful and heart rendering, ruby.
Sharing it across
- AUTHOR
Hello chinared, Nice to meet you. Thank you for a ' sweet ' comment!!
- AUTHOR
Hello teacherjoe, I always enjoyed listening to residents stories when i worked in a nursing home. They are wise and we all could learn from their life stories' Thank you, happy to see you.....
- AUTHOR
Hello drbj, Your poetry rings a bell, LOUD and CLEAR, for some reason i do not like a mirror as much these days, but i love it when you visit and leave a gem..Thank you my good friend.....
Wow, just beautiful. The "sweet and sour" memories displayed from a glance in a mirror. Powerful. Thanks for a nice poem. Voted up and beautiful.
Good morning sister.
Very beautiful.
I used to enjoy sitting and listening to stories from seniors in retirement homes.
God bless you.
Thank you for this lovely poetry, Ruby, that you have written with your magnanimous heart and generous spirit. You have inspired me, m'dear:
When I was very young,
My mirror was close to touch.
But now that I am older,
. . . not so much!
- AUTHOR
Hello jonmcclusk, Nice to meet you. Thank you for a wonderful comment, and thank you for the follow. I just read your tribute to your brother. It was touching and beautiful..Happy to follow you..Cheers.
- AUTHOR
Hello Leslie, There is a nursing home in Evansville, In. that allows the residents pets. I hear that everyone is happy there. I think it's a wonderful idea concerning hospice. It would be heartbreaking to leave your pet. Thank you for coming..I love you too...
- AUTHOR
Hello Gypsy, Happy you enjoyed this piece and the video. Thank you..
An interesting and emotion filled story that you've unraveled for us here. Wonderful job on this great narrative poem.
i hear turnabout is fair play - especially in life...
not sure how...'graceful'...i will be when the time comes..
all i know is this - I WANT MY DOG! sigh...
i want to look into getting a dog-friendly hosp. ward - or hospice going..
what do you think, Ruby?
love you sweet friend!
voting and sharing
Just wonderful. We all have our precious memories happy and sad. Enjoyed the video.
- AUTHOR
Hello Rosemary, I am always so happy to see you, and yes we all will look into the mirror and see us as we used to be, it's so important to have happy memories. Thank you..Lordy, i miss our little cafe, hopefully he will reopen and we all will rush to be the first to say " hi " Thank you..Cheers..
- AUTHOR
Hello Epi, You have the ability to make me feel like i am on cloud nine and drifting with my special friends like you. Thank you..Your accolades make me smile. Thank you..I cherish your comments...
- AUTHOR
Hello Vellur, I am happy this touched your heart. I felt the same when i saw the picture. Thank you....
- AUTHOR
Hello Cogerson, I'm sure when we all age, like your mother, we can relate. I am happy that you liked the picture, when i saw it i was moved to write. Thank you for a heartfelt comment...
Ruby you have such a caring heart, This will come to us all one day, when we look in the mirror and see the person we used to be and those memories come rushing back.
Beautifully written my friend
Ruby you are such a powerful writer in poetry form and you excel at this narrative genre - I am so proud to call you my esteemed colleague and George Jones is so happy to have you as his muse and girlfriend - and the epi-man knows where to go for his inspiration for world class writing - right here, Ruby my dear (Thelonious Monk song)
sending you warm wishes from Colin, George, Tiffy and Gabriel at lake erie time 11:25pm
Beautiful, touched my heart. Great poem.
A very moving hub and one that probably can easily be identified with by almost all the people on hub pages. I really like the photo you attached at the top of the hub. Just the other day my mom was talking about she can not believe she will be 77 later this month....so I could easily see her in the top photo. Very well done...voted up and awesome.
- AUTHOR
Hello Amy, You are soo kind. Thank you. I know it hurts deeply concerning your mother. I remember when my mother had her CVA ( stroke ) I tried desperately to take care of her in my home but it became impossible. She was completely incoherent, it took two people to turn her in bed. My prayers are with you Amy, you are strong and able to take whatever comes. Keep writing your beautiful poetry, it will sustain you. I love my name Ruby Tuesday..Hugs my sweet poet....
- AUTHOR
Hello Mike, So good to see you. You are so kind. Thank you. I just let my imagination run away when i saw the picture. They are not my memories. I was never a pediatric nurse. I am patiently waiting for a wonderful story from your pen. Take care my friend......Hugs..
Heartbreaking on every level, dear Ruby. I see this as my mother slips further into dementia and joy in living is but a distant, forgotten memory. Your elegant words touch me deeply on a personal level, my friend. I love the kindness of your beautiful heart, Ruby Tuesday.
- AUTHOR
Hello Elena, I agree. Hopefully we will have more good memories than bad. Thank you so much..Have a wonderful weekend too. Cheers....
- AUTHOR
Hello Mar, Full circle is a wonderful expression. When i looked at the picture, i imagined all the happy and sad times she must have had as a nurse, so i gave her the blessing of being a pediatric nurse and reminiscing about the joy and sorrow she saw daily, then, when old, was gently being taken care of. That's all we can hope for my special nurse friend. I love you...
- AUTHOR
Hello Martie, I know, we still feel the same inside but somehow we aged, now, how could that happen? Hee..This story is not about me. I was never a pediatric nurse. I had a friend who was and her stories were heartbreaking. Thank you for thinking i was a kind nurse, without bragging, i was. I believe i was meant to be a nurse, from a little child, that's all i thought about. I am glad you liked the video, i had never seen it before, of course, i love Elvis and Roy Clark is not bad. Thank you my friend..I love you too.......
Hello Always. Good to see you, your narrative poetry certainly packs a lot of meaning into it. Your writing and faith are very beautiful, flowing from a heart so full.
- AUTHOR
Hello Oswalda, Happy to meet you. Your comment is touching. Thank you...
- AUTHOR
Hello Pam, I think all nurses can relate to Maggie's story. I was never a pediatric nurse but i can imagine the good times and the bad. Thank you for coming....
- AUTHOR
Hello Hyphen, So good to see you..Thank you. I just find a picture and let my imagination write the words. We're going to have to find another little cafe to meet and have coffee..I miss you....
- AUTHOR
Hello Martin, happy you could relate. Thank you....
Very touching read, Ruby. Maggie has a good heart. As we grow older, there are more memories to store. We hope they are mostly good ones to reflect back on.
Have a lovely weekend. :-)
The full circle of the caregiver finally being given the care...as yesterday conjures up a life of fulfilling memories.
Powerful, thought provoking and accompanied by the perfect song.
Beautiful work, Ruby. Voted UP and ABI. Love, Maria
- AUTHOR
Hello xstatic, It is not my story, but that's what came to mind when i saw the picture. I added the word now which made it clearer. Thank you for coming to read...Cheers..
- AUTHOR
Hello Bill, I agree. The good did outweigh the bad in my time in the nursing field, like i always felt, it was the good, the bad, and the ugly. The iron lung and the polio epidemic was before my time, but i did have a sister, Hazel, who died from polio years before i was born. She is burried in our family cemetery, when i visit i always look at her headstone and wonder about her, there is not even a picture of her, what a shame. Thank you for coming.....
Beautiful, Ruby! It is hard to look in the mirror, not seeing the person you remember you were and actually still are, except for visible and hurting age.
I think you must have been the kindest nurse.
Love you!
Beautiful video!
Beautifully yet delicately expressed. "Growing stronger each day after daddies' car and train collision, the day her daddy died..." Poignant. Thank you!
And we will all pass away eventually with good memories and bad. Of course, we cherish the good but others are more difficult. This is a very thoughtful hub from a lady with a very caring heart. I related to this hub also. Well-done.
Bless you for your caring heart. You see beyond the obvious to the pain, sorrow and joys that live in situations.
I really related to this. Still, thank you.
A beautiful story of remembrance of things and people past.
I think you meant to say "kept his kidneys from failing" in the fourth paragraph?
And so it shall be for all of us eventually, Ruby! Hopefully the good memories outweigh the bad. For anyone in service of others, the nurses, the teachers, etc, I have no doubt that the good outweighs the bad.
Blessings my friend
bill
64