Poem . Drama on Wheels

Drama on Wheels. (original)

1
Time had come, just eight years from a century.
Dear mother decided she needed help.
A lovely retirement home was found.
For her to enjoy her future days.

2
With aging pains and crippling joints.
Caring folk made her days easier.
Knitting had long gone, but now it was back.
With help and persuasion her fingers worked again.

3
Walking was hard but she never complained.
With a smile and a greet that would melt your heart.
But time had been cruel and soon it had to come.
That a wheelchair was to be her only means of travel.

4
My visits were frequent to enjoy this dear lady.
Her bravery in achieving the simple things in life.
The pain never showed, she disguised it well.
Her brain alert always ready for a joke.

5
Life carried on, she never complained.
The staff adored her jokes and smiles.
A hearing aid helped for what she was missing.
And the brain as sharp as it always was.

6
Now with her modern wheelchair.
I could take her out to enjoy the sun.
We even went to town to visit shops.
Plus meet lots of her old friends.

7
One day after heavy rain.
A new path had been laid.
The lawn resewn and very soft.
Spring was everywhere to enjoy.

8
Mother remarked on a tree in full bloom.
My guard was down for a split second.
The wheel of the chair sunk into soft soil.
It collapsed and mother was thrown in a drain.

9
With horror and panic I checked her for damage.
She said “ okay” but had pain in her leg.
Two cars stopped, folk asked if I needed help.
We soon had her back in her chair.

10
Slowly returning to the home they checked her over.
To make sure an ambulance was called.
She needed an x-ray to be sure.
Maybe I was the one that needed care.

11
A journey to the next town and it was soon found.
Her leg was fractured, we were hospital bound.
The ambulance soon had here there
A cast was set to ease the pain.

12
Guilt was with me all the time.
Saying sorry to mother just brought a smile.
It was an accident Jim. no one to blame.
Hard to accept but will time heal.

13
On return to the retirement home.
The staff made it quite a joke.
By hiding all the wheelchairs from me.
I knew mother had organised this.

14

Now mother has gone to her eternal rest.
Her memories and love were something special.
Forgive and forget was the way she was.
We all miss her very much.