This began as a game some bloggers played in 2008, to write about people who'd made an impact, in the same number of words as one's age, every day for a year. I did them less often and went on longer, adding one word each birthday. I stopped in 2016 and incorporated them into my main poetry blog. In 2019 I resumed the project and gave it its own blog again, with a new name, where it may unfold at its own (slow, intermittent) pace. I've labelled these verse portraits, but they're more like quick sketches: mere glimpses, impressions....


Thursday 31 May 2012

Nursing Home: Bobbi

Bobbi walks quickly 
along the corridors,
keeping to the edges.
One day she tells me,
whispering:

‘I hurt my hip. Now 
I have to keep walking 
or it seizes up.
I feel conspicuous
and embarrassed.’

She is slim
in her neat slacks
and cardigan,
sweet face framed
by a short pageboy.

Her eyes widen
a moment and I glimpse 
fear, want to hug her 
but will not intrude
on her frail dignity.

Cross-posted from my poetry blog, The Passionate Crone, from whence it is submitted to Poetry Pantry #101 at Poets United. 

 [Poem #90]
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1 comment:

  1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade24 June 2019 at 14:01

    Comments from original posting:

    Sherry Blue Sky 4 June 2012 at 09:59
    Oh this is so sweet, and you are so sensitive and respectful, Rosemary. There are a lot of stories in nursing homes. I've worked in them, so I know:)

    Rosemary Nissen-Wade 4 June 2012 at 10:02
    I only glimpsed a few of them, so these are sketches rather than in-depth portraits, but I was intrigued enough to wish to attempt them — and there will be more.

    Kim Nelson 4 June 2012 at 11:01
    Rosemary,
    These portraits are stirring and thoughtful, respectful and evocative. Thank you for the dignity and grace you masterfully use to cast light on the subjects.

    Rosemary Nissen-Wade 5 June 2012 at 06:42
    Thank you, Kim, for the kind comment.

    Dana Leah 5 June 2012 at 03:58
    this is so cool! i love that moment when a person, including someone you don't know, inspires you to write about them. what a lovely homage to these people, and the delicacy of this is just breathtaking. x

    Rosemary Nissen-Wade 5 June 2012 at 06:43
    Nice to 'meet' you, Dana. I'm glad you enjoyed.

    Rachel Hoyt 5 June 2012 at 11:55
    Love this personal snapshot. You have painted her beautifully. :)

    Rosemary Nissen-Wade 5 June 2012 at 16:24
    Thank you Rachel. She made quite an impression!

    ReplyDelete

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