UNFORTUNATELY, YOUR POEM DESCRIBES EXACTLY THE ATMOSPHERE AND CONDITIONS OF A LOT OF RETIREMENT/NURSING HOMES, BUT THANK GOD - NOT ALL. TOO BAD HER FAMILY DIDN'T LOOK HARDER OR KEEP HER AT HOME. BLESSINGS. JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

LORI - GAL - YOU NAILED IT! What surprises me is your YOUTH - and to so thoroughly UNDERSTAND this National Dilemma!

I can only echo the sentiments expressed by all the reviews posted before me, some of which are quite eloquent.

My own Mother withered away in a home, with Alzheimer's. My heart aches as I remember her begging me, while she still knew my name - "Tommy, take me home - I'll be GOOD!"

Both of my older sisters had this dreaded disease also. Adele was fortunate enough to die in her own home, because her eldest daughter stayed there with her. My sister Rose, whom I lived with for three years suffered with it. When her five children placed her in a "Home" I knew it was her Death Sentence.

Since I 'retired' three years ago, I work part-time delivering prescriptions - Elders in their own homes struggling to pay exorbitant Dedeuctibles and Co-pays they can not afford - Every 'home' I go to three times a week, 12 months a year, 36 months and counting -

A SEA OF VACANT EYES - Over-medicated, to keep them docile, and less 'troublesome' -
some little old ladies cuddling and cradling Baby Dolls (the MOTHER INSTINCT never leaves them) - some carrying their empty purses, perennially waiting to 'get out.' Others constantly waiting near the front door, secured by powerful Electro-Magnetic locks, constantly trying to ESCAPE!

And now - most ‘Homes’ have posted signs at the entrance - “NO PETS ALLOWED!”
A final removal of a Pleasure they used to enjoy!

AMERICA - HANG YOUR HEAD IN SHAME!

EUTHANASIA - DEATH WITH DIGNITY - IS A FAR BETTER 'SENTENCE' !!!

Peace - Tom.

Amen
To this brilliantly composed poetic, sad write
Is this what awaits 99% of us?
I'm in no hurry to get to my nowhere of tomorrow
I welcome the Reaper before this become my destiny
Love & peace be with you

William

Painful write that tears at the heart.

My Mother-in-law was in a home (she had dementia)and just recently passed away. Your poem was written about her. Very good job on such a sad subject.

A stark description of a reality that hits countless elderly...my mother always said an 'Altersheim' (terminal nursing home) is 'Endstation Sehnsucht'...she died the night they told her in a hospital that she wasn't allowed to return to her own home. Heart-break doesn't begin to describe such fate...well done, Lori!

Gina

It is sad when a family gives up on their elderly. I have seen what happens to these beautiful people who for most of their adult life took care of her family, because he family was her life. Then to be just up and thrown away to live in a home where compassion is only a word in the dictionary, is to tear the very fabric of a person's soul. This just makes me sad to read things like this sis, because I know they go on in the world. Thank you for sharing this piece that shouldmake the reader think.

May the Lord Jesus bless you, and those whom you love, and who love you, and be with you always, and at your side constantly. With much love in my heart, joy to the world, peace on earth, & ((((((((((MANY WONDERFUL SISTERLY HUGGGGSSSS)))))))))), your little sister, Barbie.

So sad, it's just another injustice in this world.
Great message!

A horrible place to be left to die.

Legacy

Tough call for some folks, me included. Until you have to live with a challenged elder 24/7 and the profound lifestyle changes that that brings to the table. We all have but one life. My mom lives with us for now (the past 5 years). I love her dearly but there are times....While there is no excuse for the conditions of some nursing homes, for most of us it is a likely if not short term destination. Check out my Alzy articles if you need a cross check. Excellent poem. Patrick

a sad position to be in Lori, my wife and I have no kids and sometimes I wonder about my old age arrival and survival, glad to see you back, cheers

one of the unfortunate scenarios of modern existence ... in third world tribes and in past egalitarian societies, the elderly were respected and cared for ...



powerful write ...

This reeks of a distasteful truth that few of us can deny and many of us can relate in ways both personal and objective. As ever, your rapier eye witnesses and records unprejudiced fact without sweetening the pill but in ways that are captivating:

The stench of death and pine
Impale every breath.

... absolutely spot-on and harrowingly precise. Good to read you again. xx

Hi Lori, I cry when I read this because it's reality. And Fee said it best! I'm looking at my parents, and I cry when I read this.... thank you for sharing such a poignant truth...

In Spirit,
Bear

Lori,

Subtle as a hammer - as it damn well should be.

~B

Deep and powerful poem you have written,take care

EDWIN

I have seen the sad reality and truth of this write first hand...a ninety year old woman who gave birth and raised 8 children and only two of them acknowledge and visit her on a regular basis...and they call themselves Christians...I wonder what Christ would say to these people if they would even listen. Good to see you posting again and with such a strong message.
hugs
fee

This one is painful to read, Lori, wrote one earlier about 'They' not knowing what it is like being in a nursing home. Well done.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

Harsh but sadly, very real. It reminds me of when I visited my father as he wasted away during the last two years of his life. Thank you, Lori. Love and best wishes to you,

Regis

A travesty of American life, powerfully stated. They shoot horses, don't they?

Ron

"The Home" is a powerful voice in vivid portrayal of our American society's most tragic misdeed--the neglect and abandonment of our helpless elders. The choice of words in this piece is stark, excruciating and soul-touchingly perceptive.

A brilliant literary offering that is hard to swallow.

With admiration and respect,
Richard

So much pain here. I hate to think there's an inevitability in
your poem, Lori, but I do admire the skill in which you write
about it. -gene.

How good it is to see you Lori,to read your no nonsense powerful poetry!This is a gem,even though it's a stain on society,and a
shame on the families who allow it.Yet,I do know it isn't easy,
even for them...

ET

Painfully vivid and emotionally taxing, you slap us all in the face with the reality that awaits many of us or perhaps some of our family members. The saddest part is that we don't at least allow them their dignity. Though this poem makes me ache, it is nothing short of wonderful to read you again. I dashed here as soon as I got notification that you had posted. Please come back often.
Take care,
Sherry

We DO treat our seniors with a great deal of disdain, even though we will ALL be THERE someday too...ed