Sunday 15 July 2018

On the job




One normal workday at a focus group
an ear suddenly gives up on the job.
The work goes on – the bistro, wine and soup
discussed threadbare. Just one out of the loop.
In time that ear’s cajoled back. Then some blob
blocks out breath and smell with a growth that throbs.
Growth in the wrong directions. Breathless, stooped.
Some sense is lost once airways or sounds stop.



A blade intervenes and lets in some air.
But now it’s a different one that is cracked –
while the eye’s gone about its work unaware,
it’s also dimmed its own light down. Cataract!
All senses will fail. The warnings are there -
split open in focus groups with trivial facts.







12 comments:

  1. Sigh. An evocative sonnet on a subject which is too familiar.

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    1. Sad but true for many in a particular age bracket...

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  2. Someone who is no longer listening? Sorry, I'm a bit dense with these sometimes.

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    1. Someone who has gone deaf in one ear rather suddenly mid-morning. Wants to listen desperately, but can't. Fortunately there are things such as recorders. Happened years ago.

      And the last word I'd associate with you is dense!

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  3. This poem captures those bits that get lost in age. The "huh" in the conversation, and the squint that doesn't gain focus. Oh my

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    1. The funny thing is that you are told that as the outer senses fade the inner sense, the insight, intuition, wisdom, whatever it's called, gets sharper - not necessarily true!

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  4. Hi Nila - also those who can't be bothered and are self-interested ... while that negativity that overcomes and pervades could so easily be lightened ... clever poem to remind us to pay attention and be interested in others ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Poetry and story telling is all about listening - no listening, no stories!

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  5. Seems like everything's breaking down there...

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