16.
GLASS OF WATER
[approx December
2006/January 2007]
“Can
I get you a glass of water?”
The
young woman is flustered.
“Would
you like to sit down?”
I
was so sure
Clara
would get well.
Obviously.
The
best of medical care,
Good
food, herbs,
Positive
thinking, meditation, visualisation,
Skilled
natural therapists,
Our
ocean of love for her.
She
is loved by all
And
Clara’s own abundant vitality,
Cheerfulness,
love of life,
How
could she not live?
But
the disease
Rolls
on relentlessly
- chemotherapy
- radiotherapy
-
Chinese herbs, homeopathics
-
ozone bath
-
injections of Vitamin C, Eurixor
-
paper cranes.
All
we believed in
(or
just half hoped in),
Futile.
We’ve
been trying so hard.
It’s
so unfair.
And
today
I’ve
driven all over town,
Tracking
down remedies.
Talking
to this nice young naturopath,
She’s
smiling, wanting to help,
I’m
explaining the situation,
The
herbal remedy I want.
When
suddenly,
I’m
overwhelmed.
“We’ve
tried everything,” I wail,
“Nothing’s
working!
Still
she’s dying!”
My
tears pour out,
I
stand helpless.
There,
at the natural remedies counter,
In
front of this young naturopath,
In
the middle of the mega wholefoods store,
I
weep.
She
doesn’t know what to do,
Offers
water, a chair,
Wants
to help.
I
want her to help.
... a moment of hope
Maybe
she knows some new,
Miracle
remedy, just on the market
But no, there’s nothing.
I
accept her glass of water,
Just
to accept her token help.
I
wipe my tears,
Thank
her, make my purchases,
Step
back onto the street.
24 June 2011
No comments:
Post a Comment