Recession

Her body is in a recession:
just a shadow, echo, glimpse
of what used to be so rich.

Her eyes were once so bright;
but, stamped with years of heartbreak
and a diagnosis of cataracts,
they remain permanently dull.

Her legs used to support her,
but now they carry only memories.
A metal bar lifts her up
and protects her from fatal falling.

Parkinson's has destroyed her dainty hands,
causing them to tremble and shake
at the slightest movement.
It is a struggle
to grasp even a cup of tea.

Her teeth used to be shine so perfectly,
yet are now rotted away
from years of trying to smile.

Her fingernails,
once painted the deepest red
are now drying, wrinkled, forgotten
as she hobbles to the restroom
in the Three Rivers Nursing Home.

Yet this does not stop her
from humming an Italian tune
her mother used to sing to her
before tucking her into bed.

This does not stop her
from dreaming of former lovers,
and waking up every morning
feeling comforted and warm.

Her heart, soul, and mind are still shining:
alive, radiant, smiling, passionate.
The only things that matter
are as young as ever before.


~J.V.Harker~
~Wednesday 22 July 2009~