Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Old Otalgia



Compassion’s earache
sits on the tattered couch
worn thin by visitors
who came to get
and seldom returned to give.

Compassion’s earache
sips Pepto-Bismol
straight from the bottle,
waiting for someone
to take her out
for a real drink,
or at least make
her some chamomile,
pop in a DVD,
and rub her feet
once in a while.

Compassion’s earache
has thick-skinned,
broad shoulders
even when we are
too blind to see them droop,
too thin-skinned to care,
and too deaf to hear her
when she calls for us to listen too.



© 2014 Jennifer Wagner



I’m back from a little blog-sabbatical and it’s OpenLinkNight at dVerse!

23 comments:

Tank said...

I'm so glad to see you post! I love it! Especially the vivid images of the tattered and worn couch and the thoughts it leaves me with. Sometimes its easy to forget that the shoulders we lean on so readily have needs too. Thanks.

Wendy Bourke said...

Wow! And back with a bang. Loved everything about this, Jennifer. Though the first line:

“Compassion’s earache sits on the tattered couch worn thin by visitors who came to get and seldom returned to give.”

had me right out of the gate. As you know, I do like to take the occasional break from my blog – and always feel freshly inspired when I return. Great to see you back!!!

anthonynorth said...

Great words on compassion.

Abruvanamedsly said...

Compassion’s earache
sits on the tattered couch
worn thin by visitors
who came to get
and seldom returned to give
...

...felt.

Fireblossom said...

I wondered where you had gone! Nice to see you back. Sometimes people get pigeon holed into certain roles and others stop thinking about what that does and what it means. I guess. I'm on my first cup of coffee here!

Anonymous said...

Otalgia or earache - describes exactly how we often view old people, yet just neatly avoids sentimentality. The sipping of Pepto-Bismol, whilst wishing for a real drink, was particularly witty and poignant.

Brian Miller said...

ha. a good footrub covers many evils....smiles....nice personification...the opening sets it up nice but then i like how the second gets specific...and it def gives a poke as well...smiles.....

Anonymous said...

Love that opening verse. It says a lot. Enjoyed your poem.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I really like this Jennifer. Compassion is always selfless, and always only wanted when people need her. That's what this made me think of.

Anonymous said...

Carers need care too!

Susan said...

Such a sweet acknowledgement of a caregiver's presence!

Claudia said...

people like her who are always there for others and have an open ear for the needs and sorrows of those around them are often thought of being esp. stable and never needing anyone.... such a wrong thought...we all need someone to talk to and hug us every once and a while

Mary said...

Yes, sometimes the 'good listener' would like someone to listen to him/her too. Conversation should go both ways, not be one-sided. I like the way you have expressed the idea here, Jennifer.

Anonymous said...

We all need to open that ear to others. A good listener is usually born out of some need; they need to unload from time to time also.

ND Mitchell said...

Great to see you back and hope that you had a good break. Liked the way you covered so many different aspects of caring-the almost invisible ways in which someone will show their devotion. This is a lovely poem and a great start to your work in 2014. Looking forward to many more.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to print this up and hand it out, or at least direct several people I know to come here and read it. Well said.. terrific poetry..

Anonymous said...

Compassion's earache...an interesting thought. I hope I never become an earache to a compassionate ear! Well written

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful. It has a great message with each poetic line. Foot massage sounds great right about now!

Truedessa said...

Compassion's earache..it is hard to be a listener when sometimes you want someone to listen to your thoughts.

revelations said...

some powerful thoughts are weaved through out... loved the compassion's earache ... sits on the tattered couch

Wolfsrosebud said...

most are blind to way too much... hope you had a good rest

Preeti S. said...

This is beautiful. And strong, yes. I guess, I have played both roles - the droopy shoulders and the thin skinned glances. Brilliant poetry, though. Loved it.

Pealogic said...

Really Heartbreaking for me to read. I'm one of the deaf I think.