This is my tribute to the elders in our communities who have been so terribly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Untouchable; Alone (April 16, 2020 Central Jersey)
(c) Linda S. Ershow-Levenberg , all rights reserved
Untouchable. Alone. He wants his daughter. Every morning she brought coffee and some news.
She would tell him of the books that she was reading, trim his hair, or polish up his shoes.
The cherry blossoms burst in bloom without him.
He couldn’t leave his home to touch those petals with his hands.
The daffodils and hyacinths a memory.
He gazes out the window, but he just can’t understand.
Untouchable. Alone. He wants his daughter. Parcels just get left outside his door.
A step or two, he must sit down, so tired.
The empty streets are yawning; no one’s working any more.
The television’s off – it was relentless. He turns for comfort to his magazines.
Turning all these pages, he can travel –
to Calcutta, to the Tetons or to New Orleans
to Calcutta, to the Tetons or to New Orleans
Still, untouchable. Alone. He wants his daughter.
Every day he tries to find a way to make it new.
There’s solace in the sunshine in the morning.
And he’s breathing. He will find a way to see this through.
He’s breathing. He will find a way to see this through.
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Let’s hope that sooner rather than later our elders will again be able to enjoy in-person visits from their friends, grandchildren and children without fear and risk.
Call us about your elder care concerns …… 732-382-6070