Hospice *** Options

[Psyche]

On Milky Way evenings
I gravitate through phantasmal portals
hoping to discern death’s wiles.
Not Death.
Just death skulking, sluggish,
oh, so slowly,
into outsized eyes ogling me
from puffed up pillows.

I imagine awe of God in those orbs.
A hapless plea of…
When? Soon?
Lampshade eyes defeat dementia.
Aware, they know all.
Beg all. Soundless speech.

Death tugs hard
at love’s heartstrings -
those pupils appear to say:
rally with me to the far side,
where connections may continue.

My thoughts fuse with mirrored eyes.

Mine – the Other’s
I’m not sure who is questioning.
Pathetic doubts. Mine?

Busybody peeks over my shoulder.
- What are you writing?
I write what I see.
- Best keep it to yourself.
Yes.
- Death is unpopular.
(Must scribble secretly)
Of course.
Only Sylvia Plath
handled it well.
- Who?
(My sympathy to Sisyphus:
umpteen rocks roll down my allocated hill)

“Dying
Is an art, like everything else.
I do it exceptionally well.

I do it so it feels like hell.
I do it so it feels real.
I guess you could say I’ve a call.” *

Holding a fragile, veined hand
on eiderdown valleys,
our communal eyes
devise destiny’s last station.


*(Excerpt is from Sylvia Plath’s Lady Lazarus)

By Psyche


© Sylvia Evelyn, Bariloche, Argentina. 2014.

[jerryk]

On Milky Way evenings
I gravitate through phantasmal portals
hoping to discern death’s wiles.
Not Death.
Just death skulking, sluggish,
oh, so slowly,
into outsized eyes ogling me
from puffed up pillows.

I imagine awe of God in those orbs.
A hapless plea of…
When? Soon?
Lampshade eyes defeat dementia. (well expressed; right on the mark)
Aware, they know all.
Beg all. Soundless speech.

Death tugs hard (always does--)
at love’s heartstrings -
those pupils appear to say:
rally with me to the far side,
where connections may continue.

My thoughts fuse with mirrored eyes.

Mine – the Other’s
I’m not sure who is questioning.
Pathetic doubts. Mine?

Busybody peeks over my shoulder. (a great line!!)
- What are you writing?
I write what I see.
- Best keep it to yourself.
Yes.
- Death is unpopular.
(Must scribble secretly)
Of course.
Only Sylvia Plath
handled it well.
- Who?
(My sympathy to Sisyphus:
umpteen rocks roll down my allocated hill)

“Dying (Thanks you for this quote)
Is an art, like everything else.
I do it exceptionally well.

I do it so it feels like hell.
I do it so it feels real.
I guess you could say I’ve a call.” *

Holding a fragile, veined hand (the entire verse is very visual and touching)
on eiderdown valleys,
our communal eyes
devise destiny’s last station.


*(Excerpt is from Sylvia Plath’s Lady Lazarus)

By Psyche


© Sylvia Evelyn, Bariloche, Argentina. 2014.

Hi Syl;

I'm not about to nit a poem that's written from a troubled heart, even if I were to disagree with your word choices here or there--which I do not. Your reflective write is very touching and speaks of your acceptance of what is to come. Having witnessed the decline and demise of another family member, somehow, words fail to express the sadness I feel for you and your loved one. I always thought that I should die at a young age, but here I am nearing 80--with Parkinson's. The trouble is, I'll most likely live to be 90--lol.
No nits from me, Syl, only my warmest wishes.
Jerry

[Psyche]

Hi Jerry, my good friend. Been away from MM too long, as usual. Thanks so much for your kind words.
BTW, I do not mind at all if you nit my personal poems, especially when they're written as a tribute to my loved ones. Or just my thoughts expressed in verse.

I'm sure you'll live to be 90!!! There's so much energy in you. I believe Parkinson's has better medications than in former times? Or at least better life styles have been introduced. The computer is a great way to communicate across the world (even tho' the world's in an awful mess in many parts..).

I peeked over the wall to R&F and saw that Lori has returned!!! I miss her a lot, I think MM begins to move forward when she's around. I'll be commenting on her posts asap., not now coz it's too late. I also miss Eira, must drop her a note. Hope all is well with her and her family.

Talking about humor, I do have some poems with some humor in them, from when my hubby started his path to the sorry state he's in now. 14 years to get "here". A shame...he was a great poet, too.

I'll dig out some poem for you to see. Of course I also wrote about other stuff, it's just that now my wobbly inspiration seems to have become centered on him.

Cheers and take care, tx again!
Syl***

[jerryk]

Hi Jerry, my good friend. Been away from MM too long, as usual. Thanks so much for your kind words.
BTW, I do not mind at all if you nit my personal poems, especially when they're written as a tribute to my loved ones. Or just my thoughts expressed in verse.

I'm sure you'll live to be 90!!! There's so much energy in you. I believe Parkinson's has better medications than in former times? Or at least better life styles have been introduced. The computer is a great way to communicate across the world (even tho' the world's in an awful mess in many parts..).

I peeked over the wall to R&F and saw that Lori has returned!!! I miss her a lot, I think MM begins to move forward when she's around. I'll be commenting on her posts asap., not now coz it's too late. I also miss Eira, must drop her a note. Hope all is well with her and her family.

Talking about humor, I do have some poems with some humor in them, from when my hubby started his path to the sorry state he's in now. 14 years to get "here". A shame...he was a great poet, too.

I'll dig out some poem for you to see. Of course I also wrote about other stuff, it's just that now my wobbly inspiration seems to have become centered on him.

Cheers and take care, tx again!
Syl***

Hi, Syl;
I don't know if you ever check your PM for messages, but I sent you a free-verse, the deleted one you were curious to read. About Parkinson's: a few years ago I had what's called DBS (deep-brain stimulation) surgery, a procedure that consists of two wires implanted in the brain that then receives precise low-voltage impulses that override the tremors in both hands. The reason for that was: I couldn't handle the P. medication. Side effects? some, but my main complaint is that on certain days those wires serve as an antenna that draws television signals from Jupiter, which of course scramble my favorite BBC programs here on earth, lol. I'm kidding, Syl. Take care; my best to you,
Jerry

[Psyche]

Thank you, Jerry, I checked my PM messages a short while ago. I usually forget, thanks for reminding me.
As I mentioned in my reply, I found that I'd already read your deleted poem...LOL. I do plenty of peeking around here, but don't always have time to comment. Tx for sending it! You're not the first person to delete a piece that's had no comments for several days. Makes one feel ignored...but no ill intentions around here, just people with problems, I think.

I've probably answered part of this, except for the DBS surgery. I'm glad it's helped you. I thought P. meds were improving, but apparently not for everybody. My first husband has P, but he lives in Spain and I've no idea whether they do the DBS surgery there. My grandsons say he's doing quite well and receives some outside State help (his second wife ran off, leaving him penniless except for his pension. So sad.)

Hey, do share the signals from Jupiter with us!!!

Dear me, this is all off-topic in a poetry forum...but still, nothing much else is happening, never mind.
Take care,
Syl***

Hi, Syl;
I don't know if you ever check your PM for messages, but I sent you a free-verse, the deleted one you were curious to read. About Parkinson's: a few years ago I had what's called DBS (deep-brain stimulation) surgery, a procedure that consists of two wires implanted in the brain that then receives precise low-voltage impulses that override the tremors in both hands. The reason for that was: I couldn't handle the P. medication. Side effects? some, but my main complaint is that on certain days those wires serve as an antenna that draws television signals from Jupiter, which of course scramble my favorite BBC programs here on earth, lol. I'm kidding, Syl. Take care; my best to you, charliebrown.gif
Jerry

[jerryk]

Thank you, Jerry, I checked my PM messages a short while ago. I usually forget, thanks for reminding me.
As I mentioned in my reply, I found that I'd already read your deleted poem...LOL. I do plenty of peeking around here, but don't always have time to comment. Tx for sending it! You're not the first person to delete a piece that's had no comments for several days. Makes one feel ignored...but no ill intentions around here, just people with problems, I think.

I've probably answered part of this, except for the DBS surgery. I'm glad it's helped you. I thought P. meds were improving, but apparently not for everybody. My first husband has P, but he lives in Spain and I've no idea whether they do the DBS surgery there. My grandsons say he's doing quite well and receives some outside State help (his second wife ran off, leaving him penniless except for his pension. So sad.)

Hey, do share the signals from Jupiter with us!!!

Dear me, this is all off-topic in a poetry forum...but still, nothing much else is happening, never mind.
Take care,
Syl***

Hi, Syl;
I don't know if you ever check your PM for messages, but I sent you a free-verse, the deleted one you were curious to read. About Parkinson's: a few years ago I had what's called DBS (deep-brain stimulation) surgery, a procedure that consists of two wires implanted in the brain that then receives precise low-voltage impulses that override the tremors in both hands. The reason for that was: I couldn't handle the P. medication. Side effects? some, but my main complaint is that on certain days those wires serve as an antenna that draws television signals from Jupiter, which of course scramble my favorite BBC programs here on earth, lol. I'm kidding, Syl. Take care; my best to you, charliebrown.gif
Jerry

Hi Syl,
yeah, I know, this reply is somewhat off topic, but "whattahay," as my Indian friend Begay would say. I'll be absent from this site, but want to tell you how much I enjoyed meeting you. Take good care of yourself.
Jerry

[Psyche]

It's been great meeting you too, Jerry! Tx for the e.mail address, I've saved it but will not be writing yet, as life just gets more and more complicated, not to say confusing and sad.

Cheers and take care,
Syl***

[jerryk]

It's been great meeting you too, Jerry! Tx for the e.mail address, I've saved it but will not be writing yet, as life just gets more and more complicated, not to say confusing and sad.

Cheers and take care,
Syl***

Hi Syl;
thanks for your previous, and I sincerely hope things will improve there at your end. At times it's good to know that one can confide in a friend, but then again, a person has to cope with one's problems by oneself. I decided to stick around to post and comment in the hope that things will be picking up here in the future. Meanwhile, I wish you happier days, my friend.
Jerry

[Eisa]

Hi Syl - A heart-rending poem - brilliantly written.

On Milky Way evenings
I gravitate through phantasmal portals
hoping to discern death�s wiles.
Not Death.
Just death skulking, sluggish,
oh, so slowly,
into outsized eyes ogling me
from puffed up pillows.

This stanza is very descriptive. I love the 's' sounds
skulking, sluggish. slowly, outsized
and also the 'p' sounds of puffed up pillows - all very effective

death's wiles

I imagine awe of God in those orbs.
A hapless plea of�
When? Soon?
Lampshade eyes defeat dementia.
Aware, they know all.
Beg all. Soundless speech.

Lampshade eyes is a wonderful and appropriate description.

Death tugs hard
at love�s heartstrings -
those pupils appear to say:
rally with me to the far side,
where connections may continue.

Breath-taking ...

My thoughts fuse with mirrored eyes.

Mine � the Other�s
I�m not sure who is questioning.
Pathetic doubts. Mine?

Busybody peeks over my shoulder.
- What are you writing?
I write what I see.
- Best keep it to yourself.
Yes.
- Death is unpopular.
(Must scribble secretly)

I like this scribbling secretly away from the busy body - it brings a completely different aspect to the poem, slightly humorous
Of course.
Only Sylvia Plath
handled it well.
- Who?
(My sympathy to Sisyphus:
umpteen rocks roll down my allocated hill)
Nice reference to Greek god
�Dying
Is an art, like everything else.
I do it exceptionally well.

I do it so it feels like hell.
I do it so it feels real.
I guess you could say I�ve a call.� *

Love the quote here

Holding a fragile, veined hand
on eiderdown valleys,
our communal eyes
devise destiny�s last station.

The ending is as compelling as the 1st stanza.
This is so well written, Syl. I just wish the circumstances were not so real and raw.

So good to read your work again

Hugs
Snow
*(Excerpt is from Sylvia Plath�s Lady Lazarus)

By Psyche


� Sylvia Evelyn, Bariloche, Argentina. 2014.

[Psyche]

Hi Eira,

I'm replying instead of using quote tags because you've made no nits, as far as I can see.
Instead you've cheered me up, in spite of the raw reality of what I've tried to express in poetry.
I thought nobody would grasp my meanings, but I'm happy that hasn't happened. Jerry and I have exchanged off-topic experiences, sort of...

I also like "lampshade eyes"...LOL...I think that sitting by Carlos and observing stuff while I feed him yogurts, helps to keep a certain distance from crude realities.

The "busy-body" peeping over my shoulders was actually my daughter Diana. She'd come to fetch me and was in her usual rush! But I wanted to jot down some thoughts...made her impatient. She really likes my poems and is always asking me whether I've written anything new!

Now that I opened my page in FB, in Spanish, she takes the trouble to make suggestions, always to the point.

Hey, now I understand what you said to Lori about the apostrophes turning into question marks. I see a big mess down below! When I have time and energy...hmm...I'll do the editing.

Hope it's fixed. Neither am I receiving the e.mail notifications about comments. I thought it was the slowness of MM, but I see that's not so. When one gets the mails, it's an incentive to come over and keep the ball rolling..

Tx so much, Eira, for your encouraging comments. I'm also glad that you're posting a little. I sincerely hope Lori returns. Websites need an Administrator, I think we all miss her.

Hugs, Syl***