in the corner of the dark
room spider spins her web,
traps a fly.
you are prone, sipping
from a straw. your smile
flickers then you wait.
why do fireflies compete
with lightning when summer
becomes indefensible?
you are prone, tugging
at fringe on your prayer
shawl. deep breath. sigh.
tomorrow they say
will be the same as today
or the day before yesterday.
you are prone. glasses
smudged with grease and
sweat. how will you see tomorrow?
today the rent was due
they picked up garbage and
the mailman delivered more junk.
you are prone, fingering
rosary beads. eyes closed.
and still we wait.
Linked to dVerse Poets’ Open Link Night. Born, I suppose, of the many years I worked with the elderly and as a hospice nurse.
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
That opening stanza is just perfect. I can see the spider, the trap, the fly; and it makes me want to keep reading. It intrigues me. I read on and it just gets better.
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This pulls at the heartstrings in a sad but beautiful way. It really captures the realities and monotony of many living their final days.
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Heart breaking story ~ I love the refrain of you are prone, and that last stanza sums it up beautifully ~ I don’t want to grow old like this ~
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Ageing is not a walk in the park for anyone. Your poem is calm and accepting. I wish I could be more like that.
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I often wonder how lonely some people really are….all too prevalent in our society.
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Waiting.. for the end… of summer. And for other endings. This poem unfurled itself with a quiet, restful dignity.
“why do fireflies compete
with lightning when summer
becomes indefensible?”
This is a really good read.
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you are prone, fingering
rosary beads. eyes closed.
and still we wait.
The strength of prayers will definitely help! It has a way of making it happen! Great lines Victoria!
Hank
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I enjoyed the use of repetition Victoria. Life does go on doesn’t it, around us as we age and care for those nearing the end of their lives life is still happening. I remember this so well when coming home from my fathers nursing home the day he died. His life stopped but nothing else did. Thanks for this poem it did give me much to reflect on.
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The repetition of the words ‘you are prone’ enhances the sadness of this piece. I think it is something those of us of a certain age think about….the possibilities of this kind of existence.
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I felt deserted heat, and and dryed twigs crawling down the street…if that makes any sense. 🙂 nice read. thanks for sharing.
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you so captured the emotions… all those years you must have been watching and learning… i liked your use of punctuation
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love the segue over to the fireflies line…and its implications to the situation….the repetition of them being prone and how that plays with much of the same is effective….had to watch someone fade
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oh that would be so tough… if you just sit alone in a house and no one’s around to keep you company… makes my heart break… felt loneliness…
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This loneliness every day the same.. repeated dread of loneliness.. what a situations to be old.. so sad..
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