Asking the questions that summer warrants. |
As the summer nears I feel both panic and anticipation. At present, I waver Wanting to look forward to all That has potential But fearing the end of supply work And steadier income. I can dream... Enjoying a virtual blogging trip That traipses around the world But the reality is... I have to care for my aging mother Who has lost her driver's license by being classed as 'mildly cognitively confused'. Losing this, has dented her independence And I find her getting smaller before my eyes. I feel the need to find ways to prop her up And maintain my sanity As she often turns to drinking To mask her pain and embarrassment. If I go anywhere, I feel like I am abandoning her, But if stay, I'll feel like I've wasted my summer By waiting on her hand and foot. Or feeling guilty if I don't indulge her. Memories swirl over the writing retreat I attended last fall -- My worry about her overwhelmed me And I almost dreaded the trip But I prepared the way - Planned outings and visits for her, like play dates But she turned them all down. When I returned I was guilted with "I have such cabin fever!" All my plans for her were in vain. She hadn't wanted to go because She was embarrassed not to be able to keep up. I'd been glad that I'd gone Because I had a marvelous time. Coming home reminded me I may not have so many more of those trips In the future... So now I sit on the crest of summer and wonder - Just what can I do So that we both enjoy ourselves. Lines = 45 Words = 277. Notes ▼ |