Bitter Choice

Posted on September 3, 2022 by purplepeninportland 
Written for:  Friday Writings #42 - Choices & dVerse Poets Pub 


Menu choices dizzy,
the mind–too busy.
Clothing is generally
age-related, how to
style up without looking
clown-like.
Beach or mountains?
Cabins or hotels with fountains?
Choose an occupation 
that will promote elation.
As we age, choices become
a serious matter–voices
in your head, and outside
are versed verbally by others
whom you consider wise.  But,
it comes down to you,
and what you can live with.
There is another person.
You hope not to worsen 
your life or his.
Safety blows its whistle
like a lifeguard on duty.
He declines, wanders,
falls, loses words,
and balance.  Now it
becomes a challenge.
He slips, you fade–
face drawn, pounds
falling off your body 
like dead flower petals.
Impossible to keep up
with it all.  Mentally,
you fall, stall on
decisions until the most
painful choice must be
voiced by you.  Accompanying
pain stabs at your gut,
and brain, questions your
mind as now you find
you're on your own.  The old
choices seem petty,
and you do not have a menu.

https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/

About purplepeninportland

I am a freelance poet, born and bred in Brooklyn, New York. I live with my husband, John, and two charming rescue dogs–Marion Miller and Murphy. We spent eight lovely years in Portland, OR, but are now back in New York. My goal is to create and share poetry with others who write, or simply enjoy reading poetry. I hope to touch a nerve in you, and feel your sparks as well.
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21 Responses to Bitter Choice

  2. Rosemary Nissen-Wade says:
    September 3, 2022 at 1:24 am

    Heart-wrenching. In itself, and because I have been there. At this distance (for me) it arouses warm fellow-feeling rather than my personal pain.

    I like the way you lead up to the situation with the small, everyday choices first. And of course set the scene for the fact that the more serious choices are also every day – for a while.

    Like

  3. Gillena Cox says:
    September 3, 2022 at 5:44 am

    “Safety blows its whistle
    like a lifeguard on duty.”

    Ah yes you said it and rightly so

    Much💛love

    Like

  4. Magaly Guerrero says:
    September 4, 2022 at 1:16 am

    “He slips, you fade–
    face drawn, pounds
    falling off your body
    like dead flower petals.”

    Such powerful imagery. Heartbreaking in their realism.

    Like

  5. Rajani Radhakrishnan says:
    September 4, 2022 at 3:24 am

    There is another person.
    You hope not to worsen
    your life or his. – what a beautifully rendered poem about immensely challenging choices.

    Like

  6. Helen says:
    September 4, 2022 at 5:00 pm

    Sara, this is incredibly deep, revealing, on every possible level. All I can utter is ‘be well.’

    Like

  7. Su-sieee! Mac says:
    September 5, 2022 at 4:49 am

    That’s how I felt when my first husband’s Spirit soared into the Universe. Big hugs.

    Like

  8. dsnake1 says:
    September 7, 2022 at 9:02 am

    i like how the poem starts with the mundane choices we make everyday, like what to eat and what dress to wear. And then, wham!
    “There is another person.
    You hope not to worsen
    your life or his.”
    and suddenly the mundane becomes big challenges. This is a sad but powerful poem. Sending * hugs * from the equator.

    Like

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