Conversations With Mother (Revised) Poem by Margaret Alice Second

Don’t sell your house we said, you scorned
advice and went ahead – and despite our
fervent counseling still fell afoul of vice of
renting from the asset sale until all funds had
run away; bankruptcy now means you have
no options left

A medical fund is vital we advised, but you
declined the wisdom there enshrined, preferred
to trust in God; you suffer pain and yet refuse
to seek the aid the government provides, when
you relented finally you find an eight month
queue awaiting you

How will you deal with pain? Your daughter
seeks to raise the cash for private care – her
husband works belatedly to make ends meet;
can’t you see your risky life boasts only of your
carelessness, does not impress when others have
to bear your dilettante encumbrance

What should I say – that you refused to ready for
old age? Indeed, I do regret your choices failed
and boomeranged on you, the pity is your lacking
ears to hear advice you never listened to, and
won’t so it will make no difference anyway…