After the Stroke
Selected Haiku
(C)2002 Rosemary J. Gwaltney
* * *
Ocean fog obscures
old blind man knows direction
hears familiar shores
* * *
Old man after stroke
whistles countless melodies
lyrics lost in fog
His same sunny smile
bright blue eyes no longer see
but he knows my voice
Father after stroke
plays left hand harmonica
eighty-eight years brave
Stroke dims memory
old man still knows his Saviour
cold grave holds no fear
Old man’s memories
nursing home solo wavers
harmonica’s croon
Father after stroke
brushes tears from blinded eyes
with one useful hand
Eighty years he keeps
Mary Jo Kinchelow young
love’s clear periscope
Quiet old man sits
memories of eighty years
spiral down his mind
Father after stroke
sheds tears of joy and sorrow
new ability
Old man after stroke
captive audience at last
his wife reads to him
Quiet old man smiles
gives thanks for every kindness
nursing home’s darling
Grandpa after stroke
strains to catch a memory
grandson lost in fog
Old man after stroke
merry smile but blinded eyes
do not see our tears
* * *
* * *
* * *
Square corners dank scent
grave dug deep and darkly trim
awaits my father
