Dentals and Fricatives
she has learned to speak again
or so i was told
lips moving in clouded atrophy
around dentals and fricatives
her heart winding its alarm clock
pausing just half past the hour
to take stock
of the drooling conglomerate
which once housed a reed
joy across octaves
her voice, a magnet
physical therapy at half past
she dreads pitying looks
charted notes
and though she sputters words as directed
she can also chant them
her under-exercised voice clear
on A flat
"F___ you--there's a fricative for you"
© 2016 Audrey Howitt
Comments
- Author
Thank you Deb!
- Author
That is so hard Rasma--love and patience--thank you for your visit and kind words!
I think THAT clearly says it all. Excellent.
Most emotional poetry. It is a journey that is so difficult. Makes me think of my mom. As much as I miss her I know she is happier being with my dad. Toward the end of her life I was asked so many difficult questions such as - Where was I born? Where is my younger sister? This from my mom who once of course knew where I was born and that I was an only child.
- Author
I think we all wonder that Flourish--I know that I do too--thank you for your kind words!
Thank you Vellur!
Touched my heart, powerful filled with emotion.
Loved it. All too familiar with it with some of the people in my life. sometimes I look at them and see little semblance, caricatures even of the people they once were. And of course I wonder if that's the way I'm headed too.
- Author
I love senior moments! I did find it! Thank you!
I meant "Embracing My Inner Crone" not "Accepting." Just one of those senior moments. I'm glad to see you found the poem anyway.
- Author
Thank you Catherine! Will do!
It's true age robs us of so much, but it gives us new talents as well. If you get a chance, take a look at my poem "Accepting My Inner Crone." It is posted here on HubPages. It's light poetry, meant to be funny.
- Author
Thank you Audrey! I wish I did too!
Frank, you are kind--thank you!
Loved it Audrey.. Loved It!!!!
My interpretation - the awful truth about dementia. My younger sister has dementia. Sadly it has stolen our relationship. My heart aches for the sister I once knew. Your poem is full of empathy and understanding...I wish I had more of both.
- Author
Thank you AliciaC! I hesitated to put this one up here, but dementia isn't always pretty. It can be wrenching--
This is powerful and very sad, Audrey. I hope this isn't the case, but it sounds like you're talking about someone that you know. Though the situation was a little different, your poem reminds me about the problems faced by someone that I knew in my past. Thank you for sharing the very effective poem.
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