Anna, Aged 83

[Stepshed]

she lives alone, an armchair
sits with her in one corner
of an old room younger than her

television is
her self-absorbed friend;
confident to the point
of arrogance

she’ll sit talking to a girl
she held once, touched, kissed
who grew away;
a world away

the glass in the window remains
intact despite
the weight of the night
pressed against it

dark belongs to everyone,
a comfort for Anna, she’ll not
close curtains; she rests
afloat on the dark sea, rocked
into sleep

her television continues
its endless narrative; a story
of self-love

but Anna knows the real thing, remains
true to the flesh she once touched,
the flesh that was hers too

her last thought is stored, awaits
the time; that small endless flick
of a switch

as the curtains close, and her friend
dies.

[Rainman]

This is good. Possibly very good indeed.
Some hypnotic images, especially the weight of night pressing against the window.
I like this piece a lot.

[candlewitch]

hello,

this captures the life and times of many an aging soul with none for company but a television set or radio. many of their friends gone, having passed from this earth. Very well done!!!

always, Cat

[Chelle]

very sad. i hope someday i dont become one of those elderly people that was forgotten by everyone and left to rot and die alone...i admit it's a fear of mine.