Every Once In A While (poem) by Rose M Rideout on AuthorsDen

Reviewed on December 30, 2008

Great great poem, Rose. This made me think of my grandmother Mead. She died from emphysema 2 years ago, and in life she was such a vibrant, intelligent woman-she would teach us about everything from French, to Shakespeare and Glenn Miller- she would buy us moonpies, as we drank cream soda from the A&P and watched Abbot and Costello on her fake sheepskin rug-she would also let us perform pretend KISS concerts for her, lol-but she also was a college graduate at 65-and then when she was in the hospital and nursing home and repeating to my dad and stepmom that she wanted to go home, they thought she was senile because she was repeating herself!! I was like, she's repeating herself BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO GO HOME! lolol-eventually, they got that message, too- sadly, many people as they get older are prisoners of their bodies, and younger people often don't know what this is like (being disabled, I do) and they don't realize what joy they can give by sharing their time with someone who might not have many visitors-I am so glad to read these poems of yours, and I hope they inspire others to see the elderly in a different light, after all, we will all be there one day, too (if we are lucky). Happy New Year- Michelle

Reviewed by David Clure

Reviewed on December 30, 2008

In my opinion,your poem 'Every Once In A While' is an excellent example of the power of poetry to express a common experience that so many people feel but either will not or unable to say out loud. You have done a superb job, Rose, and I look forward to hearing more from you!

-A fellow human and poet, -

Reviewed by Victoria's Poetry & Voices of Muse

Reviewed on December 30, 2008

My heart grieves of such abandonments...it is horrible to hang certificates & degrees of achievements on their walls & never have a visitor. I did clinicals with the DON at a nursing home & I was so saddened by all them frames on their walls & not one visitor for years. The soul withers & dies....while the body continues to live
Goose Bumps.....Your words are passionate & provoking immense feelings Rose...Rose Marie Rideout! I Love Your Whole Name :)
Much Love & Hope
Embraced
Vickie

Reviewed by Elizabeth Price

Reviewed on December 29, 2008

So sad. Liz

Reviewed by Gerard Gauthier (Reader)

Reviewed on December 29, 2008

Your words are the guardians of decency...One of your best Rose

Reviewed by Linda Law

Reviewed on December 29, 2008

This is such a lovely and thoughtful view of those tender years when one is left behind without that touch, that love. I really enjoyed this. thank you, lindalaw by the way....so happy you are back!!!

Reviewed by D Johnson

Reviewed on December 29, 2008

Since my mom lived in a nursing home for the last 8 years of her life, you offer good advice. Reminded of many who were left visiterless.

Cheers,
Dan

Reviewed by Gene Williamson

Reviewed on December 29, 2008

You write with such skill and tenderness of a scene familir
to many of us. I still think of the sweet woman who spent
most of her days lisening to and talking with the canary.
-gene.

Reviewed by Walt Hardester

Reviewed on December 29, 2008

A sad statement of today's hustle and bustle world. Many a senior have been tosed away and forgotten by family and children. I want to go peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather, not kicking and screaming like the others in the car he was driving :-)

Walt

Reviewed by Felix Perry

Reviewed on December 29, 2008

This is very well done and so easy to understand, as I look at my own family and my MIL who is in a Seniors Home and out of a family of eight children only two went to visit her on Christmas day...

Fee

Reviewed by Georg Mateos

Reviewed on December 29, 2008

I have seen elderly sitting on both sides of a corridor in and understaffed and poorly administered Seniors "home" and there and then decided not to get older and if I did never to set my foot there when alive and capable of kicking a storm.

Georg

Reviewed by Christine Alwin

Reviewed on December 29, 2008

Much to think about in this...My Aunt Flossie now 98 says, "Chrissy do what you can now. as you get older your world becomes smaller"...and yes, your words make me think of what she once told me. The cycle of life for us all. Great write Rose
love, Christine

Reviewed by Paul Berube

Reviewed on December 29, 2008

A sad but well written story my friend. God bless.

Reviewed by Ed Matlack

Reviewed on December 29, 2008

I see this type of thing almost daily when I work at an assisted living complex...it is damn shame how we just stockpile our elderly, they have so much to still give and we have so much to still learn from them...Ed

Reviewed by Linda Hill

Reviewed on December 28, 2008

Rose,
This poem touches me deeply. I worked in a nursing home for eight years, I saw firsthand the sadness in their eyes, the lonely hearts. I tried to give them a little cheer, a smile, sometimes they just needed someone to listen and care, to hold their hand, be a friend. Excellent poem, dear lady.

Blessings and love,
~Linda

Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner

Reviewed on December 28, 2008

Tears, for those who live behind these walls: well penned, Rose.

(((HUGS))) and love, and Happy New Year!, Karla.

Reviewed by Karen Vanderlaan

Reviewed on December 28, 2008

a very sad write-well wxpressed by your tender heart

Reviewed by Elizabeth Russo

Reviewed on December 28, 2008

This certainly touched home for me, Rose, as my father is now in a nursing home with Alzheimer's disease ... I see so many lonely souls, so many with no one to care for them and the people (patients and workers) become their only family - so very sad, so very heartbreaking. Beautifully written and moving. Best to you and yours in 2009 - Happy New Year and may it bring you renewed health and happiness. Hugs, Elizabeth

Reviewed by Flying Fox Ted L Glines (Reader)

Reviewed on December 28, 2008

Yet another beautifully expressed poem, Rose. Nursing homes, old folk's homes, are never graceful and their residents seem in various stages of being lost, out of phase, confused and so alone. I visit one such home, locally, just to touch a hand here and there and maybe share some cheer, and some of the residents are no older than myself, though most of them are in their 80s and 90s. Sometimes, their younger family members are there with them, visiting, poking about and fussing, but these visitors often have an arms-length and nervous air about them, as if the visit is more of a duty than an act of love (maybe like bringing flowers to a grave-site). Sad, and you captured the fine essence of it here, Rose. This one truly should go out to be published :-)

Ted

Reviewed by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado

Reviewed on December 28, 2008

Great message in this, Rose; very well penned! BRAVA!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D

Hope your 2009 is better for you and your loved ones!