VISITING LARA
(A Crown of Sonnets)
It was love that got him up each morning
to catch the local train that went to town.
Walking, heavy rain came without warning
a mile and a half across The Downs.
Mike was on his way to his wife’s Care Home —
the daily visits he made rain or shine;
he had lost her to dementia syndrome —
her failing memory was an early sign.
A lift or help from kids was not expected,
Mike felt a burden to them, everyone —
feeling in the way — family life seemed dead —
he couldn’t wait until the day was done.
With rain in his eyes, whilst cursing his luck,
crossing the road, Mike was hit by a truck.
Crossing the road, Mike was hit by a truck —
leg badly broken, heavily concussed.
An ambulance stopping his only luck…
When his kids were informed, they seemed unfussed.
Visiting hospital later that day
daughter and sons soon arrived at his room;
finding Mike sleeping they went on their way,
leaving a note saying, “Back again soon.”
They did come back, but it took them a week –
once Mike was conscious and moved to a ward;
still in pain — it was difficult to speak,
but having them there seemed like a reward.
“Have you seen Mum?” he was able to ask,
their callous indifference made Mike gasp.
Their callous indifference made Mike gasp:
“She’s out of it now,” his youngest son said,
“I know it’s hard, impossible to grasp,
but she’s not living, she’s as good as dead.”
“She doesn’t know who her visitors are,
there’s no conversation, she looks so blank…
Saying our names doesn’t get us far—
‘Mum, It’s Sharon!’ — I could call myself Frank!”
The eldest son showed a little more tact:
“Dad, it’s upsetting, there’s no magic key —
no way to help her and that’s a sad fact —
trapped in her body, I wish she was free” …
This discussion only made matters worse,
Mike’s headache started, so they called a nurse.
Mike’s headache started, so they called a nurse,
the family departed, left Mike to rest…
This sad encounter just made him feel worse,
he thought of his wife, but it made him depressed.
Stuck on the ward feeling very alone
his slow healing leg gave nothing but strife,
it seemed so pointless to call the Care Home,
he needed to see and talk to his wife.
“Out of it now!” — That was cruel and so wrong,
his kids knew nothing, didn’t understand
how commitment and love forms such a strong bond —
he still felt a spark each time they held hands.
Though Lara was silent — she’d lost her tongue —
Mike still remembered her as being young.
Mike still remembered her as being young,
so, changing his mind he phoned the Care Home —
had to hang on as the phone rung and rung,
left his message with a Mrs. Jerome.
He told of his mishap, hospital stay,
the traction, treatment and weeks of bed rest;
“Tell Lara I love her, I’ll be OK —
physio soon, getting up, getting dressed.”
Discharged with Carers to help him at home,
Mike left in a taxi, armed with a crutch.
Back in the routine of living alone
had groceries delivered — didn’t need much.
He’d visit Lara as soon as he could —
ending his long wait would make Mike feel good.
Ending his long wait would make Mike feel good,
with nervous excitement, Mike briefly shook.
Waiting by the gate, in sunshine Mike stood
with flowers to deliver and taxi booked.
The journey to town — a much quicker way
than Mike’s walking route, to catch that slow train…
the previous visits took most of a day —
the time he could save would be a big gain.
The trip was over in no time at all,
booked in at Reception, then up the stairs
to Room 16 at the end of the hall
to sit by the bed in an old armchair.
Lara was sleeping when Mike first sat down…
Dreaming? Perhaps — first a smile, then a frown.
Dreaming? Perhaps — first a smile, then a frown.
Mike called her name softly, reached for her hand
buried beneath that cerise dressing gown.
To reach properly he was forced to stand
and, so, leaning forward he kissed her lips.
Freed from her dream she spoke, “Oh! Mike!” she cried.
Hearing her speaking was such a big lift
as if, briefly, dementia had died.
Waking, she smiled at him but said no more.
He talked about hospital, time that they’d lost,
how he would visit her just like before —
that his accident had come at great cost…
Yet, no matter what else fortune may bring,
it was their love got him up each morning.
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