Pages

Friday, March 18, 2016

PARADE



gave my buddy a lift
to the V.A.

waited for him
in the lobby
to a slow and steady
military parade of

walkers
wheelchairs
and canes

walkers...

wheelchairs...

and canes

in and out
in and out
in and out

the door

as the music speakers played
"What A Wonderful World"

19 comments:

  1. Oh, you have totally nailed this situation, kiddo. Well played.

    ReplyDelete
  2. this is as poignant as a freed prisoner who can remember and still smell the rawed iron and hear the clanging of cage doors opening and closing. whenever i visit a VA hospice or hospital the sights you articulate and the music piped through as a psychological affect is so glaringly evident. hearing the music from the late 60's early seventies that were blasted during the vietnam war !

    you catured this well

    gracias

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And thank you so much for your comment. You have validated that this scene exists throughout the land in these facilities.

      Delete
  3. __Used, misused abused, then forgotten like a pencil with a broken lead. It seems the 'system' is more important than the souls that that 'system' is there to give... the honor of aid.
    __Mayhaps we need another government (agency) to govern all the governments by which we are governed_? One agency that cares__ beyond the rhetoric of saying__ that it cares.

    this holding
    of bleeding hands
    gracious care

    _m

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice one, Doug. The V.A. here is a sprawling complex--building after building...parking lot after parking lot--revealing the level of bureaucracy involved. Perhaps if they had a few less bureaucrats, they might be able to direct more funds into actual patient care.

      Delete
  4. https://www.youtube.com/embed/pJTZrT6EX-E?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0 ... keep on dancing, friend ... Love, cat.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you, Tim. It isn't over when it's over, is it? Pretty intense here, nice piece.
    There could be you or me and still might. I need to go to the VA clinic here (we've moved) for another hearing test. No ear protection 'back then' on the ranges. My ears have been ringing 55 years but now my hearing is very poor.
    ..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear that, Jim. No, once it begins, it's never over. All the best to you.

      Delete
  6. Such a bitter irony as observed with the poet's eye.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was an irony that slapped me right in the face and switched the poetry light bulb on in my head. Hope you are well, Kerry!

      Delete
  7. ... I think (and hope) things will be changing soon. Our brave men and women deserve the best in medical care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, the one thing I took away from it is that the personnel there who are serving these clients do seem to be dedicated and doing the best they can.

      Delete
  8. Gah. Yes, true enough. It's seriously shameful.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The contrast here is poignant... reminds me of "Another day in Paradise"...

    ReplyDelete