Stroke

[TheFifthElement]

I have a friend who had a stroke recently. He's only 44, and I'm finding it really difficult to come to terms with. This was written as a form of therapy.


Stroke

It takes a moment for you
to see me, to see me.
Recognition is a good sign,
or so the doctors say.

You ask me how I am,
reassure me, reassure me.
His memory will recover,
or so the doctors say.

You look the same, but I
don’t recognise you, recognise you.
There’s nothing they can do now,
or so the doctors say.

You ask me how I am,
reassure me, reassure me.
His memory will recover,
or so the doctors say.

Your eyes focus on a place
beyond me, beyond me.
Time is a great healer,
or so the doctors say.

[Lote-Tree]

I have a friend who had a stroke recently. He's only 44, and I'm finding it really difficult to come to terms with. This was written as a form of therapy.


Stroke

It takes a moment for you
to see me, to see me.
Recognition is a good sign,
or so the doctors say.

You ask me how I am,
reassure me, reassure me.
His memory will recover,
or so the doctors say.

You look the same, but I
don’t recognise you, recognise you.
There’s nothing they can do now,
or so the doctors say.

You ask me how I am,
reassure me, reassure me.
His memory will recover,
or so the doctors say.

Your eyes focus on a place
beyond me, beyond me.
Time is a great healer,
or so the doctors say.

I like the line "your eyes focus on a place beyond me..."...
To me it has deep meaning both literal and metaphorical...

[CrazyDiamond]

I think it's beautiful that you used this as an inspiration to write great poetry, other than becomming bitter and cynical about it.

Give your friend all the best!
Keep smiling.

Kahlil Gibran -

"The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; they pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious of the rose."

Optimism is great!

[TheFifthElement]

Thank you Lote.


I think it's beautiful that you used this as an inspiration to write great poetry, other than becomming bitter and cynical about it.

Give your friend all the best!
Keep smiling.

Kahlil Gibran -

"The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; they pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious of the rose."

Optimism is great!

Thank you Crazy Diamond, unfortunately the poem conceals the bitterness and cynicism and rage that I'm feeling at the moment. But you're right, it's better to be optimistic than to wallow in those bad feelings. Thank you for your kind sentiments both to myself and to my friend. :)

[ampoule]

I am also very sorry to hear about your friend and that you have to be feeling so badly. It is a lovely poem to friendship.

[CrazyDiamond]

Yes, but although this portrays your rage and cynicism, it's a lot better for you to vent out your bitterness in a creative way, other than going around punching holes through doors and the like.

(Call me Emma)

Take it easy.

[TheFifthElement]

Thank you ampoule, and Emma :)

[PrinceMyshkin]

Those stammered repetitions are either great poetic ingenuity or triumphs of empathy - or both. What an agonized, agonizing poem. My best wishes for your friend, of course, and a salute to the love between you.

[TheFifthElement]

Those stammered repetitions are either great poetic ingenuity or triumphs of empathy - or both. What an agonized, agonizing poem. My best wishes for your friend, of course, and a salute to the love between you.

Thank you Prince Myshkin. The repetition is kind of multi-layered, it is a reflection of the 5 minute conversation we had when I saw him in the hospital, when he repeated the same questions over and over; but as well it is a reflection of both his confusion and mine, and the inability to express or get past the unbelievability of it all.

[Pendragon]

Too beautiful for words, Fifth. Your friend is fortunate to have you...

[Sweets America]

Oh what a sad poem!
The last stanza is heartbreaking.
As the others said, it is good that you put your feelings into the creation of this poem.

[Virgil]

Excellent little poem Fifth. I think the repetitions work great in this. Several places on lit net I mention asthetics matching the theme. This is exactly what I mean. This is art. Otherwise one can just write an essay and communicate much more clearly one's thoughts. Very good. Best wishes to your friend. Forty-four is awfully young for a stroke. I'm forty-five.

[TheFifthElement]

Thank you all for your kind comments.

Virgil - very humbling words. Thank you. 44 is indeed very young, too young by half (literally).

[TheFifthElement]

I just found out that my friend passed away this morning.

There aren't the words.

[CrazyDiamond]

I just found out that my friend passed away this morning.

There aren't the words.

I can empathise with you profusely. Nothing that anyone will say can take the copious amounts of pain that you must be feeling away. However, it is from these unfortunate and unbearable experiances that we realise that life is too short. My boyfriend's mum died of cancer last November. She was only 41.

All my love and sympathy!
Take it easy.

**Emma**

[PrinceMyshkin]

I just found out that my friend passed away this morning.

There aren't the words.

Not having known your friend, perhaps none of us here can grieve for him, but we can I think grieve for your grief.

You understand, I hope, that you have a ready and empathetic audience here for any and everything you wish to say about him...

Love
Jerry

[ampoule]

My deepest condolences.

[Virgil]

I just found out that my friend passed away this morning.

There aren't the words.

My sympathies, Fifth. May he rest in peace. :(

[TheFifthElement]

Thank you all for your thoughts, and your kindness. It means a great deal.

[Riesa]

What sad news, I am so sorry to hear about your loss.

your poem was beautifully done, the repetition portrayed the discomfort, confusion and shock of this tragedy exceedingly well.

[firefangled]

I am so sorry to hear this news, Fifth. Please accept my sympathies.

[CdnReader]

What a tragic loss, Fifth. Remember him with love and joy in your heart. Take care of yourself.

[Granny5]

Fifth, there is nothing to say that will help. Take care of yourself and know that there are a lot of us thinking about you and your friend.

[TheFifthElement]

Thank you all again for your kind words and your support. It really is a great community here on Lit-net.