LJI Week 5: Lonely Mouth

[alycewilson]

This is my entry for Week 5 of LJ Idol, Three Strikes (http://therealljidol.dreamwidth.org). The topic this week is "Kuchisabishii," a Japanese term which refers to eating when you're not hungry, and is directly translated as "lonely mouth."

Me at poolside before class

Lonely Mouth

After class, she finds me
in the hot tub. Calls out cheerily, then launches
her litany of woes. This week, she'll see
a general practitioner
a G.I. specialist
a neurologist
a chiropractor
a podiatrist
a nutritionist
for diagnosis and treatment.

At 90-plus, her pains multiply. So many
chronic conditions, seeping into bones
and sinew, clogging up arteries,
impeding the natural flow of fluids
and air. Yet, she keeps going, keeps
moving in my aqua fitness class,
never complaining about
the challenges as we move
and groove to the beat. She's
given me these updates ever since
I first greeted her with a friendly
"How are you feeling today?"

Each day, her ailments change,
a perpetual tide, rising and falling.
The reality she battles, building
pressure inside her mouth. Bursting
out to seep into a welcoming ear.

Comments

[dsrmousey]

It's so sweet of you to give her the time. She probably doesn't have many friends her age left to talk too. You are very kind Alyce, and patient. Not many are these days! Ps, you look great!


I wanted to work in geriatrics when going to school. My pop talked me out of it. So in Dentistry I had my own patients! They were geriatric, mentally ill, and pedodontics. Goodness, I miss my profession.

[alycewilson]

Sounds like you had a very rewarding position! I imagine they truly valued you.