It's the nights that are difficult - exhaustion sets in around 8.00 and a full night's sleep is rare. There are a few early morning compensations though...
Shadows of a Stroke
The house has cooled at last.
I turn down the volume on 'The West Wing'
so as not to disturb you.
The ceiling fan revolves hypnotically.
'Allie?'
'I'm out here, my love.'
'Come to bed?'
'Soon sweetheart -
It's only eight o'clock.'
Later I climb in beside you.
You curl cosily into my back,
musty warm and purring.
I close my eyes and drift off.
Suddenly you snap on the light.
'Allie! Allie!
'What the fuck's the matter with this pillow?'
I squeeze my eyes
trying not to react;
Remembering what it felt like
to be small and afraid of the dark.
Then dawn opens her eyes
and you slip your good hand between my legs;
And the child of last night
becomes the man
I fell for forty five years ago.
Tom Mutchler
Compelling read. Enjoyed.
Compelling read. Enjoyed.
Sally Plumb
I've had a slight stroke myself ... a person adjusts to the situation.
I've had a slight stroke myself ... a person adjusts to the situation.
nimal dunuhinga
From the heart tells a love story...............bygone memories! 'The child of last night becomes the man!' Yes,night is still young? Enjoyed thoroughly.
From the heart tells a love story...............bygone memories! 'The child of last night becomes the man!' Yes,night is still young? Enjoyed thoroughly.
sridevi
Allie...this bought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes...this is love-plain and un-embellished ...Hugs :)Sri.
Allie...this bought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes...this is love-plain and un-embellished ...Hugs :)Sri.
seema chowdhury
very interesting. pl see my new poems . take care
very interesting. pl see my new poems . take care
jinjahman
appreciate your honesty here. Beautiful piece of poetic realism.
appreciate your honesty here. Beautiful piece of poetic realism.
robertchoward
I have always been taken by your powers of observation but have not witnessed your glasses turned inward before now. You have opened your heart to us all. Please receive ours in return.
I have always been taken by your powers of observation but have not witnessed your glasses turned inward before now. You have opened your heart to us all. Please receive ours in return.
A Thomas Hawkins
Such a beautiful and honest piece, thank you.
Such a beautiful and honest piece, thank you.
humanwoman
wow, how perfect - as life
wow, how perfect - as life
Dorothy A. Holmes apwlts2
Alison, how wonderful...this beautiful poem took me back to days in John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore where I soothed the brow of one loved so dearly as you express your love here...The boy/man loving and needing...I smile sometimes remember the day we sneeked away from the hospital to the little inn just cross Broadway where he needed/wanted to be for just a little while. soooo I know of what you speak and you said it so well. Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To sing
Alison, how wonderful...this beautiful poem took me back to days in John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore where I soothed the brow of one loved so dearly as you express your love here...The boy/man loving and needing...I smile sometimes remember the day we sneeked away from the hospital to the little inn just cross Broadway where he needed/wanted to be for just a little while. soooo I know of what you speak and you said it so well. Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To sing
David Harris
Allie, your smooth style is something I have been missing for a while, but I just had to pop along and enjoy the richness of your beautiful writing while I had five minutes to spare. Another classic gem done in that wonder Cassidy style. Thank you for sharing it with us. Hugs David.
Allie, your smooth style is something I have been missing for a while, but I just had to pop along and enjoy the richness of your beautiful writing while I had five minutes to spare. Another classic gem done in that wonder Cassidy style. Thank you for sharing it with us. Hugs David.
tony jolley
Difficult to add to the quality of comment, other than to say from a parallel experience that I can read between the lines and see Jerry pretty clearly, especially in the curling into the back of the woman he loves. So familiar a picture. T
Difficult to add to the quality of comment, other than to say from a parallel experience that I can read between the lines and see Jerry pretty clearly, especially in the curling into the back of the woman he loves. So familiar a picture. T
poeticpiers
The more things change the more they remain the same is more true of love than many can understand. Handicaps are only obstacles to be overcome Love will find a way
The more things change the more they remain the same is more true of love than many can understand. Handicaps are only obstacles to be overcome Love will find a way
Romeo Della Valle
Alison, by nature, wisdom is not a privilege, but a virtue given by the Mighty One to us to honesty share with the rest of humanity. "Alison, you are a living proof of this statement..." Love and Peace, Romeo
Alison, by nature, wisdom is not a privilege, but a virtue given by the Mighty One to us to honesty share with the rest of humanity. "Alison, you are a living proof of this statement..." Love and Peace, Romeo
erik99
The effects of a stroke are as varied as those who suffer. The closeness of a partner makes it a very different experience from that of a parent one doesn't see regularly (see my After the Stroke), but the person is still there underneath the symptoms, and you can still love them. Beautifully done.
The effects of a stroke are as varied as those who suffer. The closeness of a partner makes it a very different experience from that of a parent one doesn't see regularly (see my After the Stroke), but the person is still there underneath the symptoms, and you can still love them. Beautifully done.
heterodynemind
We love them when they're lovable; and try to comfort them when the child sometimes peeks out; that's really all we can do (well there is that nursemaid thing..lol) Great job here of revealing the less obvious aspects of a relationship.
We love them when they're lovable; and try to comfort them when the child sometimes peeks out; that's really all we can do (well there is that nursemaid thing..lol) Great job here of revealing the less obvious aspects of a relationship.
Karin Anderson
Your honesty and wisdom shines through in Shadows of a Stroke as does dawn when she erases the shadows to bring reprieve to your wise and loving spirit. Your enduring love and sensitive writing really tugs at my heartstrings and I just love 'you curl cosily into my back, musty warm and purring'. You have so much to teach others with your positive and caring attitude...love Karin
Your honesty and wisdom shines through in Shadows of a Stroke as does dawn when she erases the shadows to bring reprieve to your wise and loving spirit. Your enduring love and sensitive writing really tugs at my heartstrings and I just love 'you curl cosily into my back, musty warm and purring'. You have so much to teach others with your positive and caring attitude...love Karin
Mike
This is real love plain and simple.... and simply beautiful...
This is real love plain and simple.... and simply beautiful...
hippie chick
wow this is amazing. truly. readers can identify with how you feel and yet are interested. just the right amount of everything!
wow this is amazing. truly. readers can identify with how you feel and yet are interested. just the right amount of everything!
Ernestine Northover
Completely awe inspiring, a wonderful read, a top best seller, movingly written with a softness so dreamy and full of sleepyness. Love to you and Jerry. Applause is due!
Completely awe inspiring, a wonderful read, a top best seller, movingly written with a softness so dreamy and full of sleepyness. Love to you and Jerry. Applause is due!
mamta agarwal
why this is an amazing write; so much happens, you present it with sensitivity and humour.
why this is an amazing write; so much happens, you present it with sensitivity and humour.
Bob Blackwell
I thought this poem was full of love and tenderness, one word would describe it as wonderful! Thank you Allie
I thought this poem was full of love and tenderness, one word would describe it as wonderful! Thank you Allie
Sandra Martyres
Allie this is telling it as it is with such sensitivity and love - one of the most sincere love poems I have come across...
Allie this is telling it as it is with such sensitivity and love - one of the most sincere love poems I have come across...
JoAnn McGrath
brilliant!....you walk us through so many stages of life and so many emotions in so few lines....you are incredible Allie
brilliant!....you walk us through so many stages of life and so many emotions in so few lines....you are incredible Allie
Jerry Hughes
....what can I say 'cept reality persionified beautifully. Much love, Jez
....what can I say 'cept reality persionified beautifully. Much love, Jez
Lillian Susan Thomas
Wow! such sensitivity in this poem, such deep understanding of your relationship and his fear, where it comes from, and your acceptance of him, "warts and all." Only once do you use the word "love" and then as an endearment, yet this s a love poem if ever I read one. Thank you so much Allie for sharing your most honest and intimate feelings.
Wow! such sensitivity in this poem, such deep understanding of your relationship and his fear, where it comes from, and your acceptance of him, "warts and all." Only once do you use the word "love" and then as an endearment, yet this s a love poem if ever I read one. Thank you so much Allie for sharing your most honest and intimate feelings.
Susan Jarvis
Allie, the raw honesty in this heartfelt piece touches the reader in a way embellished language never could. Every verse breathes the essence of true love - from every single angle. Perfect. :)
Allie, the raw honesty in this heartfelt piece touches the reader in a way embellished language never could. Every verse breathes the essence of true love - from every single angle. Perfect. :)
Kerry O'Connor
A sensitive piece, and wonderful tribute to the endurance of love.
A sensitive piece, and wonderful tribute to the endurance of love.
sonetta
i've read this before Allie but reading it a second time tells me this is one of your very best....that's all i can say.....
i've read this before Allie but reading it a second time tells me this is one of your very best....that's all i can say.....
carol
alison, absolutly amazing you are
alison, absolutly amazing you are
Ray Smith
'I squeeze my eyes' is a wonderful line as is the whole poem. that brought tears to my eyes.. I'm humbled and in awe of this piece, Alison. Thanks for sharing this, Regards, Ray
'I squeeze my eyes' is a wonderful line as is the whole poem. that brought tears to my eyes.. I'm humbled and in awe of this piece, Alison. Thanks for sharing this, Regards, Ray
Ivan Donn Carswell
dream fulfilment with a tender touch of reality...
dream fulfilment with a tender touch of reality...
{ }
God!!! I am so neglectful to you both... Apologies within the aroha. God, Allie, I'm going to find the po'um I did for Jez before he went to hospital... and put up... thank you for your patient, courageous insights... throughout all your journeys that you continue to share... continue to teach up... through your poeticatures of life...
God!!! I am so neglectful to you both... Apologies within the aroha. God, Allie, I'm going to find the po'um I did for Jez before he went to hospital... and put up... thank you for your patient, courageous insights... throughout all your journeys that you continue to share... continue to teach up... through your poeticatures of life...
Munia Khan
I salute you Allie for composing such a passionate and wonderful heavenly poem.The last stanza is brilliant.True love conquers time.You are ever green my dear and so is your love and poetry.God bless.
I salute you Allie for composing such a passionate and wonderful heavenly poem.The last stanza is brilliant.True love conquers time.You are ever green my dear and so is your love and poetry.God bless.
Frank James Ryan Jr./FjR
Lass, your gifted penchant of collecting all the intricals ,and then spreading them like seed 'cross a fresh harvest field...naked, yet on the cusp of unfolding with each prosdaic line, a potpouri of growth from all that you provided to nourish the yen of the field...... The seeds are your narrative depictions ...the field are your Readers ...we yen...you nourish....And in the end, come dawn...a honey of a harvest it be! You Rock Allie !\\\FjR///
Lass, your gifted penchant of collecting all the intricals ,and then spreading them like seed 'cross a fresh harvest field...naked, yet on the cusp of unfolding with each prosdaic line, a potpouri of growth from all that you provided to nourish the yen of the field...... The seeds are your narrative depictions ...the field are your Readers ...we yen...you nourish....And in the end, come dawn...a honey of a harvest it be! You Rock Allie !\\\FjR///
Frank Lambert
From The West Wing (which I love), to ceiling fan ambience. to love, to comfort, to alarm, to empathy, to a fantastic ending. I guess you can guess, I really enjoyed this one... A very, very special write.
From The West Wing (which I love), to ceiling fan ambience. to love, to comfort, to alarm, to empathy, to a fantastic ending. I guess you can guess, I really enjoyed this one... A very, very special write.
Fay Slimm
Flowing with careful word and full of artistic value this raw picture of dealing with situations following a stroke must be one of the most moving love stories ever told. God bless all the honest-to-goodness care you expose here dearest Allie.... xx Fay
Flowing with careful word and full of artistic value this raw picture of dealing with situations following a stroke must be one of the most moving love stories ever told. God bless all the honest-to-goodness care you expose here dearest Allie.... xx Fay
indira
how time ripens relationships!
how time ripens relationships!
The truest of all the definitions of love. Beautifully written Alison.