Emmaline Conner Room 101 Poem by David Whalen

Lids slowly closing, aged eyes rimmed with red
Blue veined hands clutching sheets to her chin
Fond memories, old boyfriends, gaily dance in her head
A Time traveler, scanning archives, sequestered within

My knock brings her back to this time, here and now
With a start she awakens, closes softly memory’s door
With a smile I approach, place a hand on her brow
Gently bringing her back to the present once more

Tucking a bib beneath her chin like an infant
Huge Breakfast tray pulled close to her breast
Eyes mockingly wide in jesting amazement
Solemnly promises to give it her best

I sit by her side, uncapping and helping
With the soft pureed breakfast I provided
A few birdlike bites, her resolve quickly melting
She’s really quite full now, she’s decided

Chiding her gently to eat some more food
she jokingly tells me she’s watching her weight
And with age earned authority it’s to be understood
At a fat eighty pounds, it’s already too late

I remove the tray, knowing when I’m beaten
By a wisp of a woman who grows more wispy each day
Each day of each week less food is eaten
Not much more time in this bed will she stay

diaper changing endured with lady-like grace
bed bath accepted with placid aplomb
Grey hair brushed back and tied with white lace
Wizened face a portrait of complacent calm

Dear friend, earnest student, strong right hand for her mother
Many persons this fine lady has played
Big sister for small brother, to strong passionate lover
Roles without end and with deep love portrayed

As I place the call button close to her hands
She dreamily places withered hands over mine
Be sure to come back here for lunch, she demands
And this time be sure to bring wine


Eyes slowly closing, drifting off into slumber
I gently pull sheets to her chin
Once more a time traveler, to memories without number
She travels back to the past once again

At another door I knock softly so not to alarm
Another time traveler, body here, mind away
A grandfatherly figure with tubes in his arm
Nurses whisper to me that he’s not long to stay

I wipe food from the corners of his mouth as I feed him
While thinking how much these people endure
Admiring them all as their sight starts to dim
Time travelers, in their memories all safe and secure

Silence suddenly broken, by speakers in halls
Attention, Code 99, Room 101!
My spoon stops… suspended… my heart seems to pause
Time traveler, sweet traveler, where have you gone?

At lunch time I knock softly, sadly open the door
Empty bed, newly made, makes my eyes sting with tears
Emmaline Connor, Time traveler, sleeps here no more
Is once more a young lady…
traveling back through the years