Songs that make one cry for d’verse.

I reach for Sandy’s hand when she was tiny. It is unusual for Sandy not to be smiling.
HOLDING HANDS
(Bridge Over Troubled Waters)
There’s the bridge to nowhere
but I’ll take the bridge to everywhere:
and I did, like it or not.
We all did, the prayer chains set up.
Two days before we knew
what your diagnosis was.
You’d been struck with meningitis.
I could not move.
All I could do was pray.
Kia Kaha,
you fought through;
heroic, a miracle.
I seek simple words,
words that don’t exaggerate.
They, though are the ones
that hurt the most.
There was now another person
on this bridge of all bridges …
it was me. A simple procedure
for a stent but the inserting
wire broke; it was retrieved
not easily.
Mother and daughter now
in the same hospital ward.
We took that main bridge,
your journey much much deeper
than mine.
Now on the other side
we grasp hands. Let us
walk across the footbridge
of return, meet
hold hands together. We
are strong. Kia Kaha.
Benita H. Kape (c) 5.6.2019
The Story — May has been the most dreadful month. But June sees us both home and slowly recovering. I cannot tell you of the full extent of it for Sandy. Complete deafness in one ear, the loss of the tops (to the first knuckle) on most of her fingers. She died twice and they got her back. For me it was a 4 hour operation to retrieve the broken wire. Unbelievable pain, unbelievable kindness along the way.
I have always loved Simon and Garfunkel singing “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”. The resonance of that sound they give fit my feelings for this poem.
So glad the both of you are on the mend. What a harrowing month Benita.
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Thank you Rob. Yes, life can be stranger than fiction.
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Wow, hope you both experience a full recovery soon! Love me some Simon & Garfunkle poetry set to music…thanks for sharing, Benita.
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My daughter is losing the tops of some of her fingers. Toes are also affected. She has totally lost the hearing in one ear. Her recovery will be long and slow. As to me, my deep wound where they had to go in through a nerve is still weeping. They have decided on another round of antibiotics.
My darling daughter died twice during her ordeal and they got her back. I’ve now written several poems so have a suite of them growing.
HELICOPTERS
for Sandy
mean war to some people
for others hunting wild animals
others it means agriculture
for us, in a rurual town
it can mean
an emergency transfer
to a major hospital
twice you died
twic they brought you back
you always hated flying
it saved you
I’ve never thought much
about angels
I think they come in helicopters
Benita H. Kape 3.6.2019
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LOVE this one! We nearly lost our adult son to appendicitis last year…
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We really never know what is around the corner. I’m grateful for each precious moment. Nice talking.
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Good observation about simple words hurting the most.
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You’ve reminded me of another classic I want to be sure to teach my children. A beautiful song choice and I like how you used the image of the bridge in your relationship with your daughter and in how it relates to the healing journey, both of you walking together.
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The strength in your poem reflects that of the song. Nicely done.
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Thank you.
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I am glad you are better, and the song is one that can help you in such a crossing.
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Yes, each day I feel a little better. And good music always carries us through.
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…leaves me so thankful – My mother’s heart reaches out to you. No matter our health issues, we always are concerned more for our children …
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Since I came home from hospital someone almost only has to mention Sandy’s name and I cry. Thank you for your kind words
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Kia kaha. The picture reaching for the hand…
Oh God bless you both. Beautiful poem framing the suffering and the hope. Sail on silver girl… sail on to recovery and new lives.
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