archetype

#1

care-taker

embrace persons

too big for me to shoulder

they drop off my shoulder

and crash on the ground

broken.

I forget.

They are responsible for their happiness.

I am responsible for Jeanne’s.

And her health too.

I find home

and settle in for self-care

and its sister:

trust in God!

From NY to Pordenone, Italy

Donatella and Jeanne in 1970’s Venice

.

drawn to each other

sisters search for autonomy

health and Italy!

Tongue Twister#27 Grief

It’s grief that drags us down:
not gravity;

Yet each loss is grave
Leads to our grave
And is a grievous weight of soul

Not to be born alone
But woven into silken weaves
To warm and stroke and shelter:

I am a shawl for you.

Jeanne

Brain Power

Stay in touch
with the six
high-touch senses:
design
story
symphony
empathy
play
meaning.

Where are they?
In the right brain.

Where what’s left is right!

Pike

Celebrate
your weight:
great
straight
invert!

May 25, 2013

Health Marathon

Joy Acey wrote this poem posted yesterday on her blog. It brought to mind the day I had yesterday, not rain, but many blue demands on my time.

Rain makes the road shine black.
I listen to the pitt-a-pat.
Dripping from the tree leaves,
falling off the edge of eaves.

On this day, I could feel gray
but the shine on the road
takes the blues away.

Yesterday was a marathon of health care:
1 go to physical therapy for broken wrist @7 AM
(bring fresh blackberries for breakfast)
2 rush to Doctor’s appointment for 9:15 in next town
leave with 4 prescriptions to fill and future blood test
as well as a referral for a sonogram at 11 AM (across the bridge)
Stop at Don’s Doctor’s office to find out his doctor quit and there’s
no replacement yet. Plead with the nurse to schedule a test for sleep apnea,
recommended by the cardiologist 2 months ago.
3 Drink to have a full bladder and then no peeing until the tech has
pressed the death out of it and then can repeat the pressure from hell
after peeing. Wait 3 days until the doctor can interpret the scan.
4 Phone the nurse at Empire to ascertain the meaning of all the red numbers
on the 5 pages of the last lab results. (One hour)
5 Phone my big brother, the doctor, to explain the results of Don’s
colon-endoscopy. ( In the absence of a doctor for him)
Inquire about the efficacy of controversial vaccinations for shingles and whooping cough.
6 Wait 3 days to leave the prescriptions at the Pharmacy. Too exhausted to move.

What did I learn?
Love brother’s care.
Learned how to spell many words about western medical treatment.
Managed my time strategically yesterday.
Cared for my partner.
Reserved procedures for another day.
Self-cared to the point of confidence.
Lived with the resources available in this great country.

Dental Office from Outer Space

A Poem for Two Voices:

One:
In the office
is
a space chair
hygienist
and computer on pedestal.
Two:
(It does close-ups and enlargements!)
(It graphed my gums from 1 to 4; #4 being too tender)

One:
“Floss 3x a day
Gargle with baking soda.”
“Here’s a prescription for toothpaste.”
Two
“Here’s a sample of floss and toothpaste”

One:
“Six thousand dollars to replace old filings and crowns!”
Two:
“They’re too old.
See decay here below the crown!”

One:
“Wait! Eeeek!
Need to tweek
the budget!
And the dental plan.
Two:
Teeth are not my only asset!
Bites and bits both vie for time!
Each gets his share down here on earth
“So he gets his and I keep mine!