Today, my darling Jerry showered 'all by himself'. I was indeed thrilled to witness this latest example of his 'independence', though slightly disappointed that from now on I will miss our daily moment of togetherness...
Full Steam Ahead
Like Puffing Billy under full steam,
you chuff and chug
your way into the shower.
You shed your clothes at high speed,
revealing battle marks of recent surgery
that join those now long faded -
where bottles, bikes
and boxing gloves
have made an indelible stamp.
You stand under the water,
cursing, the new control -
‘What’s the matter with this stupid thing? '
Then lather your body
compulsively,
belligerently,
as though soap and water
might somehow wash away
the helplessness you hate so much.
I scrub your back
‘Oooh, yes please…’
and wash your pretty feet.
The steam fogs up my glasses.
Your skin is smooth as soap.
Your buttocks, freckle-cheeked
(and sexy still at seventy eight) .
I notice your fresh clothes
(old habits never die)
laid out in regimental order
on the bed -
shoes spat and polished,
socks folded the way mum used to.
I help you dry and dress,
and trim your mo’.
Your good hand cheekily squeezes my bum.
‘My poor little girl.
Fancy being stuck with an old cripple.’
Oh my darling, you don't know the half of it...
sagejohn
this is awesome
this is awesome
sathyanarayana
This is a new experience for me to read such splendid and fabulous poetry...this matured love has many delicate angles and touchy corners....the way it is all described is so much i can't forget at all...
This is a new experience for me to read such splendid and fabulous poetry...this matured love has many delicate angles and touchy corners....the way it is all described is so much i can't forget at all...
Simply Bono Razek
totally beautiful~overflowing with love & compassion~I love writes that touch my heart & this one did~very hard.....
totally beautiful~overflowing with love & compassion~I love writes that touch my heart & this one did~very hard.....
Meggie Gultiano
I lost words what to say here, Ali. but a tear just falls from my eyes, . Now I know how very compassionate and a very patient you are as a person.I was moved ..Bless you Allie..love you to pieces for sharing this wonderful piece to us..
I lost words what to say here, Ali. but a tear just falls from my eyes, . Now I know how very compassionate and a very patient you are as a person.I was moved ..Bless you Allie..love you to pieces for sharing this wonderful piece to us..
Chris Jibero
Beautiful.Reminds one of the nuptial vow.Stick it out remembering the good old days.
Beautiful.Reminds one of the nuptial vow.Stick it out remembering the good old days.
Bob Blackwell
I am Happy for you that your darling Jerry's is on the mend, this poem is so full of love and your usual very good humour. Shows how through the passage of time our priorities change, it was good to see the true love come to comfort and give aid. The growing together as the years pass by, as passion retreats, love and compassion grow. The fleeting romances of today, miss the whole point and experience of marriage.
I am Happy for you that your darling Jerry's is on the mend, this poem is so full of love and your usual very good humour. Shows how through the passage of time our priorities change, it was good to see the true love come to comfort and give aid. The growing together as the years pass by, as passion retreats, love and compassion grow. The fleeting romances of today, miss the whole point and experience of marriage.
Munia Khan
This poem not only indicates how brilliant you are as a poet but also how wonderful you are as a loving soul...Thanks for sharing such compassionate moments with us Allie..Love this lovely work.
This poem not only indicates how brilliant you are as a poet but also how wonderful you are as a loving soul...Thanks for sharing such compassionate moments with us Allie..Love this lovely work.
indira
a perfect mother to a loving child! pleasure to watch him coming into his being, isn't it?
a perfect mother to a loving child! pleasure to watch him coming into his being, isn't it?
Leslie Alexis
This is just lovely. truly lovely.
This is just lovely. truly lovely.
Shashendra Amalshan
LOL This is sweet Alli....." Your buttocks, freckle-cheeked (and sexy still at seventy eight)" lol, well, I guess I was left speechless after reading this poem. True that it had that usually uncanny Cassidy humour and wit, but still there is an undercurrent tone that kinda touch the depth of reader's soul with its mere sweetness. I guess if someone else wrote about a bathroom scene, it would have definitely appeared as carnal or poetic pornography, but this is sweet lol... you made me laugh , loved it
LOL This is sweet Alli....." Your buttocks, freckle-cheeked (and sexy still at seventy eight)" lol, well, I guess I was left speechless after reading this poem. True that it had that usually uncanny Cassidy humour and wit, but still there is an undercurrent tone that kinda touch the depth of reader's soul with its mere sweetness. I guess if someone else wrote about a bathroom scene, it would have definitely appeared as carnal or poetic pornography, but this is sweet lol... you made me laugh , loved it
JoAnn McGrath
another wonderful travel through the emotions with vivid words....brought a tear to my eye....I have done that exact poetic picture 3 times now taking care of loved ones....and soon it will be my mother....you truly know it's an act of love and kindness to help someone with such a personal act of kindness....another big heart write Allie
another wonderful travel through the emotions with vivid words....brought a tear to my eye....I have done that exact poetic picture 3 times now taking care of loved ones....and soon it will be my mother....you truly know it's an act of love and kindness to help someone with such a personal act of kindness....another big heart write Allie
Kevin Wells
Brought a tear to my eye. Lovely!
Brought a tear to my eye. Lovely!
Leonard Dabydeen
Somewhere in the back of my dim-wit mind there is a saying: once a man, twice a child. This poem pictures this situation very well.The realism so naked in your poem tells me of myself...when age decides to defy youth and what will likey happen. My only problem, though , is I may not have the privilege of say "Oh my darling, you don't know the half of it " ....I'll be too busy with the other half defying nature. A good read. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Somewhere in the back of my dim-wit mind there is a saying: once a man, twice a child. This poem pictures this situation very well.The realism so naked in your poem tells me of myself...when age decides to defy youth and what will likey happen. My only problem, though , is I may not have the privilege of say "Oh my darling, you don't know the half of it " ....I'll be too busy with the other half defying nature. A good read. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
john o'connell
great compassion and humour. TFS kind regards, john
great compassion and humour. TFS kind regards, john
Susan Jarvis
I just love this, from the compulsive, belligerent lathering, to those freckled-cheeked buttocks and beyond; enduring love shines from every line and the closing quip says everything...the pain, the pleasure, the pride, the measure of a heart full of passion and compassion. Allie, you're a rock that rocks! :)
I just love this, from the compulsive, belligerent lathering, to those freckled-cheeked buttocks and beyond; enduring love shines from every line and the closing quip says everything...the pain, the pleasure, the pride, the measure of a heart full of passion and compassion. Allie, you're a rock that rocks! :)
Sandra Martyres
You are such a natural writer Allie....this little bathroom peek shows the deep love and stong bonds that you two share
You are such a natural writer Allie....this little bathroom peek shows the deep love and stong bonds that you two share
sonetta
i woudn't say this is voyeurism but I totally enjoyed this peek into a touching and funny bathroom scenario showcasing how love can endure.....(and how bums can hold up through the years!!)
i woudn't say this is voyeurism but I totally enjoyed this peek into a touching and funny bathroom scenario showcasing how love can endure.....(and how bums can hold up through the years!!)
Ezna Stephna
nice poem my PF sister but be cautious, dont get trapped by a flirt in PF site ...... God guide you to your destination with smile.Congrat! keep written your love life .....
nice poem my PF sister but be cautious, dont get trapped by a flirt in PF site ...... God guide you to your destination with smile.Congrat! keep written your love life .....
Dorothy A. Holmes apwlts2
What memories you bring back to me...I love again because I too was loved so much once before...I treasure these moments you share here and smile> God smiles on you both, may his peace be ever with you. Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
What memories you bring back to me...I love again because I too was loved so much once before...I treasure these moments you share here and smile> God smiles on you both, may his peace be ever with you. Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
T A Ramesh
It looks like a loving mother washing her child! Your love is so pure and good, feel I in this poem! Very nice indeed!
It looks like a loving mother washing her child! Your love is so pure and good, feel I in this poem! Very nice indeed!
Lillian Susan Thomas
WOW! the love that seeps from every word, that bathes this poem in hope and wisdom is enough to power whole cities if we only knew how to bottle it. You are amazing Ali! I don't think you've lost any of the togetherness, it just changes what your doing together.
WOW! the love that seeps from every word, that bathes this poem in hope and wisdom is enough to power whole cities if we only knew how to bottle it. You are amazing Ali! I don't think you've lost any of the togetherness, it just changes what your doing together.
Nikunj
this is wonderful , dipped and love and nectar of passion for life and dreams ...togatherness soars like a bird out of these verses and cooes above the mundane realities of life ...love transcends everything , every bar , every negativity ...This is such a moving piece ...are u sure it was fos in the glasses and not the tears of happiness ........
this is wonderful , dipped and love and nectar of passion for life and dreams ...togatherness soars like a bird out of these verses and cooes above the mundane realities of life ...love transcends everything , every bar , every negativity ...This is such a moving piece ...are u sure it was fos in the glasses and not the tears of happiness ........
Raj Arumugam
moving and humbling lines, Alison..beautiful indeed.
moving and humbling lines, Alison..beautiful indeed.
robyn selters
Moving in its candour and gently, loving humour... thanks for sharing and dignifying a moment of reality that would not be easy to take. You are blessed to be able to enjoy a closeness that even adversity and the passage of time has respected.
Moving in its candour and gently, loving humour... thanks for sharing and dignifying a moment of reality that would not be easy to take. You are blessed to be able to enjoy a closeness that even adversity and the passage of time has respected.
carol
hope and love i hear and he did squeeze your butt
hope and love i hear and he did squeeze your butt
Karin Anderson
Alison, this peek into Jerry's private (oops) shower, except for you of course, is showered with pride, humour and a very talented Australian poet's honesty which is a pure delight. The Puffing Billy opening is so wonderful and I have revelled in it all - the pathos and the joy, the highs and lows of life's reality. Love it!
Alison, this peek into Jerry's private (oops) shower, except for you of course, is showered with pride, humour and a very talented Australian poet's honesty which is a pure delight. The Puffing Billy opening is so wonderful and I have revelled in it all - the pathos and the joy, the highs and lows of life's reality. Love it!
anushmadhu
wonderful..incident..for you nice one..
wonderful..incident..for you nice one..
Full Speed Ahead encouraged me with facing the new year. Your first stanza gives a vivid picture of a chugging choo-choo. The next two stanzas tell me that I must deal with the old and new. I can understand the need to be independent and empagthize with the growing helplessness. I wish I had more of your patience and that kind of aged love that is not just skin deep but still appreciates all the accidentals.