Written after a sleepless night...
TWO YEARS ON
Two years on -
and I want to rejoice,
but I don't really feel like rejoicing.
Not like I did
in those early days
when 'home' seemed all that mattered.
When each day dawned like a gift -
and a chance
to do a bit more,
stumble a bit less.
When we gave back the bath chair
and the walking stick.
And they gave you back your license.
But it isn't the same, is it?
As before.
We don't really talk any more.
We sit at the cafe
and stare at the menu.
We sit down to breakfast
and out comes the paper.
We sit on the couch
and on goes the box.
And I ache to know your story!
Mind you...
Your face still lights up
when the peacocks visit
and you laugh out loud
at the Wizard of Id.
Two years on.
Oh what the heck - let's celebrate!!
Don
You describe so well the changes in life and the nature of human love. I appreciate the commitment to perseverance and the choice to go on. Semper fidelis!
You describe so well the changes in life and the nature of human love. I appreciate the commitment to perseverance and the choice to go on. Semper fidelis!
Bob Blackwell
Allie, your writing is so human, you write as you think, with love, compassion, and so much understanding. Life comes to us in many disguises, some happy, some hard, and some plain sad. But as you know we have to deal with it as it comes and I can see you do that very well. A kitchen sink poem with lots of love in it.
Allie, your writing is so human, you write as you think, with love, compassion, and so much understanding. Life comes to us in many disguises, some happy, some hard, and some plain sad. But as you know we have to deal with it as it comes and I can see you do that very well. A kitchen sink poem with lots of love in it.
robertchoward
Celebrate by all means! You both know who you are.
Celebrate by all means! You both know who you are.
Romeo Della Valle
Just like you, I haven't been able to sleep for two years/since I am afraid to dream about her again, but by staying fully awake, I am going through the commotion of thinking about her without any rest! C'est la vie! Great write, my friend Alison, Love and Peace...
Just like you, I haven't been able to sleep for two years/since I am afraid to dream about her again, but by staying fully awake, I am going through the commotion of thinking about her without any rest! C'est la vie! Great write, my friend Alison, Love and Peace...
Sandra Martyres
A very touching write Allie....only you could write a poem with such openess and honesty on a personal situation.....Thank you so much for this truly beautiful piece...Bookmarked
A very touching write Allie....only you could write a poem with such openess and honesty on a personal situation.....Thank you so much for this truly beautiful piece...Bookmarked
tony jolley
Tender yet scrupulously honest - both your writing and Jerry's comment. 'Gave back the bath chair' - a little victory, but a significant and meaningful marker nonetheless. Again, you seem to imbue simple facts with a tenderness and significance (though it lies not in the adjectives or adverbs, but somehow in the 'tone' that you set and use throughout). This is going to sound pretty trite, but though I don't think to seek to reproduce the effect that you create (even if I knew how you achieve it!), I feel I am learning something about the art of storytelling and people-watching when I read you... and especially about how to leave space so that the reader can write between your lines. Seriously for a minute: thanks for that. Tony
Tender yet scrupulously honest - both your writing and Jerry's comment. 'Gave back the bath chair' - a little victory, but a significant and meaningful marker nonetheless. Again, you seem to imbue simple facts with a tenderness and significance (though it lies not in the adjectives or adverbs, but somehow in the 'tone' that you set and use throughout). This is going to sound pretty trite, but though I don't think to seek to reproduce the effect that you create (even if I knew how you achieve it!), I feel I am learning something about the art of storytelling and people-watching when I read you... and especially about how to leave space so that the reader can write between your lines. Seriously for a minute: thanks for that. Tony
sarwar chowdhury
oh very touchy expressions! fine diction!
oh very touchy expressions! fine diction!
David Harris
Allie, the sheer force of this poem is wonderful. Everyday should be one of celebration that we are still around to enjoy it. I enjoyed this wonderful remembrance, but it does not seem two years ago that we all waited for your reports on Jerry's progress and followed it through each step of the way. A great write write and another one to be put in that ever increasing book of Cassidy Classics. Thank you for sharing this with us my friend. Hugs David
Allie, the sheer force of this poem is wonderful. Everyday should be one of celebration that we are still around to enjoy it. I enjoyed this wonderful remembrance, but it does not seem two years ago that we all waited for your reports on Jerry's progress and followed it through each step of the way. A great write write and another one to be put in that ever increasing book of Cassidy Classics. Thank you for sharing this with us my friend. Hugs David
yelena
You are the master to capture the moments of every day emotions, Allie. Beautiful write that stays in the heart.
You are the master to capture the moments of every day emotions, Allie. Beautiful write that stays in the heart.
Raj Arumugam
Life, love and relationships like they are in real life and in time, Alison. And so: Oh what the heck - let's celebrate!! Love the lines.
Life, love and relationships like they are in real life and in time, Alison. And so: Oh what the heck - let's celebrate!! Love the lines.
Mike
He's mighty lucky to have you, and it sounds like you feel pretty lucky yourself... You're a rare person, Allison... :)
He's mighty lucky to have you, and it sounds like you feel pretty lucky yourself... You're a rare person, Allison... :)
T A Ramesh
Nice nostalgia cannot be dreamt about today!
Nice nostalgia cannot be dreamt about today!
sonetta
much as we'd like for things to remain the same, or the way they were, life will remind us that the only thing constant is change....so we live life one day at a time not knowing what tomorrow will bring... and continue celebrating the good and the fact that we're still here.....
much as we'd like for things to remain the same, or the way they were, life will remind us that the only thing constant is change....so we live life one day at a time not knowing what tomorrow will bring... and continue celebrating the good and the fact that we're still here.....
Andrew Blakemore
Love the positive and uplifting ending Alison. Life goes on regardless. A wonderful read. Love, Andrew.
Love the positive and uplifting ending Alison. Life goes on regardless. A wonderful read. Love, Andrew.
Jerry Hughes
What can I say, 'cept it's a brutally honest assessment of a 'post stroke' situation. C'est la vie. Much love, Jez
What can I say, 'cept it's a brutally honest assessment of a 'post stroke' situation. C'est la vie. Much love, Jez
Munia Khan
I just love to read and re read and read and re read your works over and over again Allie..And I think you are truly blessed after a sleepless night with this fabulous work!! Wonderful poem.
I just love to read and re read and read and re read your works over and over again Allie..And I think you are truly blessed after a sleepless night with this fabulous work!! Wonderful poem.
Dorothy A. Holmes apwlts2
The gift of verse...what a way to lighten the burdens of the heart...This one to be served with tea and cookies while we look at each other with knowing smiles. Love it! Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
The gift of verse...what a way to lighten the burdens of the heart...This one to be served with tea and cookies while we look at each other with knowing smiles. Love it! Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
Susan Jarvis
This heart touchingly honest poem will resonate with many for a multitude of reasons...but it's the twist at the end, that determination to make the best of a situation that is far from perfect, that has touched this reader's heart. A triumph of a poem that kicks ass with it's spot on attitude to life. We could all learn a lesson from these words. :)
This heart touchingly honest poem will resonate with many for a multitude of reasons...but it's the twist at the end, that determination to make the best of a situation that is far from perfect, that has touched this reader's heart. A triumph of a poem that kicks ass with it's spot on attitude to life. We could all learn a lesson from these words. :)
Nikunj
a combination of wit , flow and grand imagery . A tad honest , a tad reflective and a shade grim before it gets into the celebrative mode ...this poem is life and sheer pleasure to read through . How the idiot box has the idiot in its grip when venus aches to hear the story ...how the newspaper comes out at the breakfast table ....this is too good Allie ...and lemme tell you that u know a lot bout me ....donno how ...
a combination of wit , flow and grand imagery . A tad honest , a tad reflective and a shade grim before it gets into the celebrative mode ...this poem is life and sheer pleasure to read through . How the idiot box has the idiot in its grip when venus aches to hear the story ...how the newspaper comes out at the breakfast table ....this is too good Allie ...and lemme tell you that u know a lot bout me ....donno how ...
Shashendra Amalshan
Another nice poem Allie. Another poem that moves and touches the reader's heart. Still loved the most cheerful manner in which you end the poem. That is something characteristic of most your works. You always offer something to lighten up the reader's hearts. Nice to read Allie... Love, shan
Another nice poem Allie. Another poem that moves and touches the reader's heart. Still loved the most cheerful manner in which you end the poem. That is something characteristic of most your works. You always offer something to lighten up the reader's hearts. Nice to read Allie... Love, shan
Fay Slimm
Nothing can be more honest than this ever so wistful verse and dear friend only those who have mastered the ache of the past two of your years can know how you might feel after another night of no sleep - -- this piece reflects your ever large heart. Thank you and bless you for sharing dear Allie your lows as well as your highs.... love you lots - - - Fay. xxxxxxxxx
Nothing can be more honest than this ever so wistful verse and dear friend only those who have mastered the ache of the past two of your years can know how you might feel after another night of no sleep - -- this piece reflects your ever large heart. Thank you and bless you for sharing dear Allie your lows as well as your highs.... love you lots - - - Fay. xxxxxxxxx
Karin Anderson
Alison, this is so touching and after a sleepless night things can get out of proportion, I sometimes find. You bring a slice of life right onto my computer page, how we work at relationships yet can stop trying, and then again what the heck - let's celebrate! Your honesty, your brilliant vocabulary and wisdom shine through and after 'Mind you...it gave me a HUGE smile. So hugs and smiles to you my dearest Alison.
Alison, this is so touching and after a sleepless night things can get out of proportion, I sometimes find. You bring a slice of life right onto my computer page, how we work at relationships yet can stop trying, and then again what the heck - let's celebrate! Your honesty, your brilliant vocabulary and wisdom shine through and after 'Mind you...it gave me a HUGE smile. So hugs and smiles to you my dearest Alison.
carol
things do change alison its the mind you's that matter
things do change alison its the mind you's that matter
nimal dunuhinga
The menu of the life's Restaurant is bitter like medicine, yes I understand two years like two decades, Alison knows well the lauagh and cry it seems.
The menu of the life's Restaurant is bitter like medicine, yes I understand two years like two decades, Alison knows well the lauagh and cry it seems.
a page teared from real life...