Rivulets of sorrow meandering
down tear-stained skin.
“Keep her comfortable
until it’s time.”
Simple words-
echoes
of eternal reminder within.
You rise.
Guiding her
through the threshold
into the chill,
shudders
of realization emerge.
You survey
the molting trees,
their arid leaves
embellishing her hair
like fragments of
woven rhinestones.
As if they weep for her.
As if even the ambiances
of ages past are beseeching
her not to leave.
Soon arrives the Foehn,
holding you within
its warm embrace.
Its breaths,
whispering lines of truth,
sculpt a bittersweet tune
as they herald
the evening’s arrival.
You understand.
Cloaked
by lyrics of singing ivy,
her expression calms,
your fears dissolve.
Consoled by a draft possessive,
you cradle her
through the darkness
and follow her
toward the seraph’s call
into the fold of
midnight slumber.
•
Categories: All Poetry, Death & Loss, Medical Poetry, Medicine, Poetry by Phoebe
![Freedom to Care [a poem]](https://i0.wp.com/phoebemd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-712413.jpg?fit=1152%2C768&ssl=1&resize=40%2C40){kind=small}
I like the idea of the seraph’s call…I do hope my Mom, Dad and sister heard it (of course, my sister would have given tips on improving the tone heh)
Hi Phoebe. Sounds like the thoughts when my wives left me! And the ideal woman I wish had come my way! Thank you for liking “Sounds From The Skies!” Peace and Best Wishes. TheFoureyedPoet.
🙂 🙂
And the tears came all on their own…I should write
🙂 🙂
Really beautiful! You must be a really special person!!
Dwight
You are very kind…thank you. 🙂
What a beautiful description of the tug of emotion at the time of letting one’s spirit go at the time of death. You and your grandmother must have had an amazing relationship. You speak of such love and tenderness between you. You write in a very picturesque manner. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts! I also very much enjoy your writing and look forward to reading more. Much blessings to you! 🙂 -phoebe
What a lovely piece! I am especially fond of:
” its arid leaves
embellishing her hair
like fragments of
woven rhinestones.”
I can’t wait to see what we have in store for each other! 😀 Jamy
Hi Jamy,
Thank you! And I have enjoyed what I’ve read so far on your blog and also look forward to reading more! Best wishes. 🙂 -phoebe
The Ferryman takes many forms but none finer or more elegant than this. Nice work.
Thanks so much, Mike. That means a lot. 🙂
Pease can help you cross over into eternity. Thanks for portraying that in your poetry. Blessings.
Thank you for reading and for your words. Take care! 🙂
Affectionate and visual-evoking, you can almost sense the tranquil departure.
Yes. I remember being in a small bedroom with a woman unafraid in her last hour. I reflected that there was not another place in the city that was more real or sacred.
Your poetry is beautiful. You are so tender and strong as you lead the way for your patient and let her go.
Thank you for your kind words! 🙂 I think in these situations…the patient is by far the stronger one (as you probably have experienced while working in hospice). Their courage is incredible.
A very moving poem, beautifully written! Yes, wonderful relationship in your working with them… thanks Phoebe for this insight 🙂 All the best and keep on writing! Regards, Iris
Thank you, Iris, for your encouragement! Wishing you the best! 🙂
I am bowled over by the depth of this description of helping someone leave this world behind!
I am glad you liked it! Best wishes! 🙂
Beautiful poem, Phoebe. In your line of work, I don’t know how you deal with everything you see — although how wonderful that you can deal with it thoughtfully and honestly in your poetry.
Yes, it can be difficult at times…which is why I think poetry goes so well with medicine. Thank you for your kind words. Take care! 🙂
I love the line “like fragments of woven rhinestones”. It captures the essence eloquently. Enjoyed the imagery and the feelings captured throughout. A mixture of joy and sadness. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words. 🙂