Tom, A dialogue Options

[Arnfinn]

With thanks to Snow.

Same words different arrangement.

Thank you.
John



Tom

Tom, trapped in a world of smug acceptance.
The illiterate soul waiting
for Saturday and yester-years cartoons.
Tom, neurons strained by dim voltage,
pressured and screwed down to acceptance of no acceptance.

Existence is a blank page.
Institutional remedies reflect featured smiles,
and pats of good boy sentiments.
Good for whom?
Not for Tom.

Tom is an alcoholic—wants out for a drink.
Pressure—pressure—pressure.
He sits in the foyer… helping out where he can.
He craves a schooner.
He can see in his “minds-eye” the grey misty glass and the frothy head.

“No, Tom you cannot go out—no bus trips for you”.
“You sit in your chair and do something.”
He gives a smirk; can’t wait for Saturday.

John Macleod © 2012


Original:

Tom

Tom trapped in a world of smug acceptance.

Tom the illiterate soul waiting for Saturday and yester-years
cartoons.

Tom, neurons strained by dim voltage, pressured and screwed down to acceptance of no acceptance.

Existence is a blank page.

Institutional remedies reflect featured smiles, and pats of good boy sentiments.

Good for whom?

Not for Tom.

Tom is an alcoholic—wants out for a drink.

Pressure—pressure—pressure.

He sits in the foyer… helping out where he can.

He craves a schooner.

He can see in his “minds-eye” the grey misty glass and the frothy head.

“No, Tom you cannot go out—no bus trips for you”.

“You sit in your chair and do something.”

He gives a smirk; can’t wait for Saturday.

John Macleod © 2012

[Psyche]

Dear Arnie,

Thanks so much for filling us in on Tom and his life.

Your piece means a lot to me now. I'm glad he's been lucky enough to have you as a friend. I know you love him sincerely. Pity Tom was moved elsewhere, you must miss each other. But a relief to know he's OK.

Are you still visiting folks who need a friend? You're a kindly person. Not everybody will do that sort of social work.

My husband's friends don't ever visit him in the nursing-home. One of them told me outright that he preferred to take care of his own health, which would be harmed if he saw all those oldies with various sorts of dementia.

On the other hand, a few ex-patients visit their sick doctor regularly. Two of them even contribute money to help pay the bill (private home, the state ones are awful). It's comforting to know that they appreciated him as their physician. He was the kind of doctor who wouldn't charge any fees to poor patients; in fact, when saying goodbye, he'd hand them a bag of supermarket stuff he'd purchased for them previously! He'd also visit the sick in their homes and not charge if they were hard up!

When my son had Motor Neuron Disease, friends became scarce, girlfriend couldn't take it, my female friends also made a wide circle around my home. They also said that they "couldn't bear to see a formerly healthy youngster deteriorate physically". At first they'd phone in, but when my son became unable to talk, calls also faded away...

One eventually needs paid carers. Voluntary ones don't abound for the terminally ill. Even family members, a brother, a sister, father or mother, take off. Reality in a nutshell.

So I'm glad to know that my good friend Arnie is such a caring person, happy to receive affection in return. That's the best!

I now love your piece!

Hugs,
Sylvia***