The Visitor

Being an advocate for our seniors , always creating awareness for the importance of visiting the seniors, now that privilege has been removed…Amidst the world chaos struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic, the awareness is still a valid cause. This poem speaks of what it means to an elderly soul who spends day after day in a long term care home and then is blessed with a visitor. Now with strong measures in place with no visitors allowed to help fight against Covid-19 in the homes. Please say a prayer for these dear loved ones. I wonder if the saying applies, “you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone”  

Morning dew
cool tired feet
caressing each step
I feel relief,
drowsy daisies
start to stretch
welcoming warmth
from evenings slumber

Relief though faint
strength is gained
amidst the
dawning glory,
unfolding promise
clings with certain
embracing grace
with daylight hues

Meadows green
of afternoon
the comfort of
someones touch,
the lonely ends
as smiles begin
welcoming love
amid the words

Once again
the cool returns
yellowing rays
turn into gold,
I bid farewell
a day well spent
contentment folds in
peaceful rest

KJS

I want to add a very important note, a huge thank you and prayers to all our health care workers putting their lives on the line everyday to care for our dear seniors. God bless them and keep them safe ❤

#Covid19 #seniors #elderly #visiting #seniorhomes #longtermcare #prayers#awareness #advocate #poetry

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Denial

No hidden code to cypher

as ink on cotton stained

a neon sign it blinds the truth

is it easy to walk away?

Be direct this is no riddle

without an answer in a rhyme 

gaze upon the mirrored reflection

no crystal ball through time

Seniors now for once were youth

do we feel exempt?

denial devised to sacrifice truth

I hear the echoes of the steps

KJS

Amidst youth or mid life strides, it is very easy to push the truth back out of the way replacing it with myths that growing old is so far down the road; the truth is, it is on our back porch, and we will be stepping down placing our feet on the same path of life’s fragility. 

Let’s join our voices in fighting for change, in creating that very important communication concerning end of life care, and the dignity, respect, privacy and compassion that are not only deserved but is crucial for the quality of life in seniors twilight years when they are taking their final steps on this earth.

For every like comment and share you are helping with this awareness. Thank you ❤ 

 

#seniors #elderly #life #pathway #sacrifice #truth #change #communication #exempt #denial #needed #care #dignity #respect #privacy #earned #deserved #awareness #poetry

 

The Great Lady Blue Heron

Her sinuous neck silhouettes

against the evening sky

as she progresses with determination

towards the waters of self reflection

Her reflection silent and unmoving,

stares calmly back at her.

What does she see? – past conflicts and ruffled feathers

but bids a peaceful, and proud independence

She evaluates her state

with a contemplative mind

determines her self and spiritual worth

eliminating all distractions of earthly life

The great blue heron has flown into the sun

her choice of flight inscribed on her heart

she wings her way to her realm of election

and there finds peace within her love

KJS2018

Faith Beyond The Chains

No recognition in the brown of her eyes
i miss the touch of her voiced memories
one by one they vanish leaving me with sorrow
and her with outbursts fuelled by frustration

We continue to guess what may be the cause
surmise to bring small comforts
conclusions masked with bitter hurt
but there are no winners here at all

Endless hallways tiled with failed circumstances
fallen between the cracks awaiting fulfillment
become dormant part of the crumbled plaster
given up by the deteriorating walls of hope

Heavy chained to the demon
barred from reality there is no key
the lock corroded with prescriptions of
empty promises bandaids for remaining life

 

KJS2018

Dedicated to my dear mom who battled dementia for over 8 years, and went home to Glory July 5, 2017 on the wings of angels and a song by her 5 robins ❤

 

 

The Farewell

Summer skies evolve
into Autumn greys
extending limits
of no return

Chilly winds dictate
a cloak of caution
in return giving security
against uncertainties

Comforting glances
just remnants of fabric
past garments of familiar
caresses and smiles

Melodies of heaven
beckon a weary soul
stanzas reach between realms
constricted in earthly struggle

love gathers on every side
farewells channelled through
hearts and tears that release
robins song GRACE she is home

 

KJS2018

 

 

 

Ravelled Rainbows

 

Leading up to July 5th, and here on after…
I love you mom…….

I do not just remember on this day, but every day.

When you come into this world, birthed by your mothers hard labour of love,
there is instant trust, and with each day that passes this trust of love grows to the strength of your whole being. As you grow and the world changes around you, one thing remains constant, strong and true, your mother’s love.
The love I speak of is now contained within my very being, stored up throughout the years for such a time as this
Never in all my years did I once give it a passing thought, a hint of worry, that I would not have my mother, she was always there, no matter what, when , how or when…she was always there!

Through eight years of caregiving for this generous precious soul I call mother, I can honestly say I stayed focused on her, not the what ifs…. and I have such wonderful memories, stored up from each moment spent with her.
There is too much to write, and the words continue to fail me as I dare describe what she means to me, and how I miss her touch however, I was blessed to have a peek into the very depths of her heart and soul before, between, and on the other side of that horrific disease dementia that she carried as her burden, her last struggle in this life. I can honestly say, “God bless you mom! I love you! You are alive in my heart and alongside of me through the rest of my journey here on this earth, Thank you”!

 

I feel the touch
of her warm weathered hand
her soft gentle voice
as it carries my soul,
over the years
to once upon her knee
where safe in her arms
I could weather my storms

In mind once traced
the lines of her face
etched in my heart
a canvas of love,
remembering whens
making changes along the way
revealing dreams
of her hearts hidden schemes

Ravelled edges
of hidden rainbows
remnants of joy
created through,
sunshine and tears,
In search of one memory
to take comfort in life
oh just one little memory!

Hushed melodies
once songs of faith
trickle through the
hidden corridors of loss,
beating against her armour
riveting waves that
fashion and fabricate
her very inner soul

The cool dew
caresses her toes
as she runs through
the meadows
with her loved ones
earthly battle vanishes
through her realm
of continual joy

Lovingly,
Kathy

KJS2018

 

A Prayer For A Friend

 

Underneath the bowers and branches
I took a stroll one eve
Pondering the daily trends
A sudden urge to hug a tree

A thought that passed right through my mind
Straight to my heart it wend
A twinge of care an earth prayer
Twas for a dearest friend

I bowed my head in humble prayer
And asked the Lord above
Please send to her the brightest angel
To guide with light eternal love

For when her way grows thick with thorns
And clouds obscure her days
Please light the lantern filled with hope
Guidance her angel to lead the way

With Modest thanks I raised my head
Thus slight a turn I caught a glance
A flutter breath of angels wings
I knew this friendship was not by chance.

 

Dedicated to a dear soul who is now an angel my friend Connie
KathyJSnow2015

Silent Crosses and Hushed Tears

Silent crosses
scrape the earthy
floor of my heart
creating trenches
of sadness and heartbreak

I try to lift
the crosses
so they are not so heavy
my shoulders are tired
my chest is weak

looking downward
the brown murky dirt
meets my gaze
so dry so dusty
I pray for rain
to wash away the ache

Hushed tears
fill the trenches
with each step
footprints are graved
filled with faint hope
but mostly dread

Change is needed
prayer is choked
with vines of doubt
fear of voicing hurts
words are left unspoken
the ache continues

KJS

 

Heart of Cape Spear

 
Today I felt the wind on my face
frosty air for the birth of June

Over rocky cliffs I choose my steps
keeping the white capped blue within my view

Devotion of love for such a dear friend
Led me to the tip of Cape Spear

I felt your presence and your angels
your heart I held it warmed my hand

I released your heart into the ocean
closed my eyes and said a prayer

May waves free the power of life
giving way to calm and confidence

May her heart find peace a path of tranquility
an amen to freedom finding and loving herself

KJS©

Foundations of Truth

Crystal ships that hold no anchor
suspended by the oceans tide
reflections through the marbled slabs
hold no happiness an endless ride

Tall armoires that hold the riches
amethyst statues guard the fold
lighted lamps to hide such shadows
tables of glass that stand there bold

Hidden haven cloaked in ivory
its walls of linear lined with books
behind a desk with skillful hand
pages of knowledge the masters rook

Claws of gold that hold wood ransom
still life portraits share the breath ~
stale air that holds no promise
an empty world a kiss of death
~