A Place to Share

 
Nightmarish- 
Frightening- 
Everyone a stranger 
As I rise 
Lights 
So bright 
Very Stark 
Naked cleanliness 
Steal reflecting light  
Into my eyes. 
 
I shade my face  
As three silhouettes of people 
Walking toward my bed with confident, 
Determination  
And idle chatter  
As they stride. 
 
Arriving by my side 
A woman speaks. 
"Mr. Smith?" 
"How are you?" 
 
I reply, "Where am I?" 
"Do I know you?" 
 
"Yes, Mr. Smith." 
"You know me I am Amy your day nurse." 
"This is New Haven Center for the Aging" 
"You have been here for 5 years" 
"You ask me that same question every morning," 
"That the one thing I can count on"  
She said with a huge grin on here face- 
"Now, it time for you to take your meds" 
"And get ready to eat and then it's group." 
With that she  stands straight 
Turns- 
One and two and three they walk away 
Into the glare. 
 
Hmmm-- 
She seems to knows my name 
Don't remember much about who I am 
So I guess I do as she says. 
And later  
This evening when I sleep 
If that be my fate  
I shall ever slumber; 
With short chortles, 
No matter what the night. 
Then waken and start again 
Nothing different than before 
Or for that matter what may come to your door. 

Olan L Smith
02-02-04
40 words

Worth the Living

Worth the Living
Reaching beyond mortality-
Touching eternity-
Face-to-face
With courage-
I glimpse God
An event seared
Upon my consciousness.

Now-
Crossing is complete-
Oh-
To turn back and whisper stridently-
The truth is worth the living!