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from the sidelines
by Kristina Woodhillthe halls are wide enough
at least
minds bounce off walls
out of bodies bundled, crumpled
a-jerk, a-kilter, beyond dystonia
no one is stoned here
in a Jimi Hendrix, guitar-smashing sense
nothing is staged, it's one constant
descending
riff
tripping
drumming
exercise
fading here, the guy with bright blue football team sheets
blurring notes, the malformed young man
pointed in his comfy chair at the big aquarium
by the front door
by the pretty plump chairs
by the pretty solid-wood end tables
by the perfectly matching wall paper
inviting we who still see
to imagine
a lovely, lovely time to be had by all
wide-eyed fish circle
mouths mouth what I strain to hide
their oh, so rounded silent screams
wide-eyed fish circle
never see a soul sit
in those pretty chairs
trace the pretty scrolling
of an end table's fine design
discuss with hushed admiration
who picked the pretty paper
on the matching foyer walls
where side-stretching halls
are wide enough
at least
hand rails horizontal trails
puppy dogs floor-click toenails
furry therapy
room-to-room
unconditional
wagging
of tails
wet tongues match wet slobber
match all that's left is love, luv, lub, uv,
goofy smiles
here in
dizzyland
unbalanced rock
space for-just-one-more needle
what a trip we're on here
where the halls are wide enough
at least
01/27/2013
Author's Note: A month spent visiting my step dad in rehab. To clarify, this is not a drug rehab facility. It is for the elderly, infirm, recovering from surgery or other if needed, some being long term and hospice.
Posted on 01/28/2013
Copyright © 2024 Kristina Woodhill
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 01/28/13 at 12:26 PM Really nice write lady. My wife has been a nurse, now retired, for over 40 years and says there are two areas where she couldn't work, one is pediatrics the other is rehab. It was all too emotional there for her. Wish you the best for some good recovery! |
| Posted by Clara Mae Gregory on 01/28/13 at 06:52 PM *stellar*
[wishing your step dad the best---getting needed help and support was the best thing he ever did...and confronting it is the hardest first step] |
| Posted by Ken Harnisch on 01/29/13 at 08:48 PM Brilliantly described, and while I had figured out you were describing just such a facility, your end note brought the whole picture into dazzling focus, Kristina...Kudos! |
| Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 01/31/13 at 11:41 PM I soaked up every word, went through it like a dazzling maze, did not know where this was headed and ran to meet it. Love Hugs for your Dad. |
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