"H" Is for Hospital - November 10, 2010

"H" Is for Hospital

By

"H" is for hospital,

I hate going there,

Even when given,

The very best care!

They give you a gown,

That never stays tied,

And gapes open often,

To expose your backside.

Early each morning,

You suffer great pain,

When the lab tech arrives,

And misses your vein.

It's almost impossible,

To get any rest,

You're constantly bothered,

For some kind of test.

I'm the grouchiest patient,

With the surliest mood,

When I get these infusions,

Instead of real food.

To tell you the truth,

There isn't much worse,

Than being a patient,

When you're also a nurse!!

It really is scary,

To be feeling so sick,

And the road to recovery,

Isn't so quick.

And if that's not enough,

When you're given your bill,

You'll suffer a relapse,

And really feel ill.



Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c)  Carmen Henesy

November 10, 2010

All rights reserved

  Exactly five years ago, I wrote this poem for another blog, posted just after

hospitalization for cellulitis of my left ankle.  I thought I would repost it since I am being

hospitalized again.  I will be admitted to California Pacific Medical Center, Pacific Campus, San Francisco, November 18th, for my right total shoulder arthroplasty, to be done by

Dr. John Belzer, surgeon to the likes of athletes of the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Forty Niners and other pro athletic teams - as well as members of the San Francisco Ballet!  He is an excellent orthopedic surgeon who, if good looks and a charming

bedside manner were a prerequisite, could replace Patrick Dempsey on "Grey's

Anatomy" ( I can't vouch for his acting ability ).  

I'd like to ask that everyone offer up a prayer for my well being - and that of my surgeon, 

his assistant, the anesthesiologist, the surgical team and all involved in my care and recovery.  We could all use a little Divine intervention!

At the Dawn of 2016

I'm pensive at this New Year's dawn,

I wish my heart felt light,

It's hard to celebrate and cheer,

When world peace seems out of sight.

I am seventy-one this year,

I'd hoped that I might see,

A new year when I'd really feel,

A sense of revelry!

What joy if only hatred ceased,

And terror stopped its spread,

And each new year brought hope,

And a bright outlook ahead!!

Much of the world is suffering,

Each day, worse than the last,

I wish our resolutions could,

Make all this in the past.

I pray that in this year to come,

Our hearts will overflow,

In love and true compassion,

Towards those who need it so.

May all of us slow down a bit,

In the chaos and the strife,

And stop to breathe and cherish,

The treasures in this life.

Let's start at year's beginning,

To find some joy in every day,

To be a bit more loving,

In our own special way.

Best wishes to all for blessings

and peace in the new year.

Carmen Henesy

12/30/2014

New Year's Thoughts - From a Seventy-Year-Old! - December 30, 2014

I've just been reminiscing,

About great New Year's past,

I would dance the night away,

And have a merry blast!

I'd party hearty with my friends,

Raise my voice in "Old Lang Syne,"

And join the happy, rowdy bunch,

In a midnight conga line!

I'd wear a slinky, sparkly dress,

And heels, the six-inch kind,

And cleavage showing far too much,

Sexy BUT refined!

I'd see the New Year's sunrise,

Not ready yet for sleep,

And resolutions weren't for me,

Promises I'd never keep!

I'm lucky now to be awake,

When the New Year saunters in,

One martini and I'm asleep,

Much to my chagrin.

I'd love to find a partner,

To hold me while we dance,

He'd need strong arms and back,

Forget about romance!

I keep my cleavage covered,

Saggy boobs are best that way,

I do admit to vanity,

In covering up my gray!

I make one resolution,

To try to keep life fun,

To cherish those I've grown to love,

Till my New Year's days are done.

None of us can know, for sure,

When our sojourn here will end,

I'm grateful for God's gifts to me,

For each and every friend.

I wish my lovely family,

And friends both far and near,

Health, love and happiness,

In the coming year.

Carmen Henesy

December 30, 2014

Copyright Carmen M Henesy, December 30, 2014

Sundays in My City - Homeward Bound in Seventeen Days: I Love You

Coastal Scene Near Pacifica, California

Well, really, it's hard to say where home is nowadays. I have spent about as much time in India as I have in California over the last three years.  If I could establish some sort of
residency, open a bank account, and get health insurance, I would actually live here most of the time and go home twice a year for two months.  Why? Mainly because it is affordable .. and I like this country. I have so many friends here, from youngsters to people my age, get very reasonable massage, can die here without spending a fortune for cremation and departure from this earth and they have some amazing, reasonably priced hospitals as well.  I can eat inexpensively, find someone to clean, cook, wash and iron for barely a dent
in my retirement income and participate in any number
of wonderful festivals that take place.  

The downside, of course, is that my three sons live in
California and so does my daughter-in-love, Laura, and my sweet granddaughter, Harper Ann,and the two granddogs.  In spite of Skype,not one of them seems predisposed to stay in touch with me that way - though, when I am in the U.S., my Indian friends always keep in touch  via those modalities or Viber, We Chat, etc.  I am a woman of the internet. Air fare is costly between the two countries, often $1000+ round trip and it is a long journey, sometimes 25 to 30 hours.

Jal Mahal, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

I've been very pensive the last week or so, acknowledging
that I am aging and may not be able to continue to keep up this international travel forever.  Words for a poem came to mind so here it is.

I Love You

The days rush by too quickly,

Minutes go so fast.

Those we love pass through our lives, 

The treasured times don't last.

Do we pause to cherish them,

While we have the chance?

Or does God take them from us,

While we look askance?

Three simple words, "I love you,"

Are not so hard to say,

We may feel them very often,

But not say them day by day.

I often feel the anguish of a friend,

And his overwhelming pain,

At the death of one most cherished,

And words cannot be said again.

The world would be much happier,

If we'd take time, now and then,

To tell our loved ones how we feel,

From family to special friend.

Carmen Henesy

November 12, 2014

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Shadow Shot Sunday 2 - Bringing Sunshine to Dispel Shadows Wherever She Goes - October 26, 2014

This precious little imp,

With eyes of brightest blue,

And wisps of golden hair,

Isn't sure what shadows do.

She runs to chase then down,

But they just get in the way,

They're glued at hands and feet,

And follow her at play.

The shadows quickly dissipate,

Lasting just awhile,

For rivaling the sunshine,

Is my lovely grandchild's smile!!!

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Carmen Henesy

Copyright October 26, 2013

The rickety bicycle rickshaw,

Slowly makes its way,

Down the Jaipur street,

On a sweltering summer day.

The weary driver will certainly,

Have to take a rest,

AFTER a day spent hauling,

Many a harried guest.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright Carmen Henesy September 16, 2014

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Eddie and the Box - September 5, 2014

"Don't look at me that way!"

He seems to say to me.

A discarded cardboard box is just,

The perfect place I like to be!

I've room to give myself a bath,

And to keep intruders far away,

I can even hone and sharpen claws,

And nap comfortably throughout the day.

Carmen Henesy

copyright Carmen Henesy September 2014

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Feline Friday

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Happy Friendship Day - August 3, 2014

Happy Friendship Day

I must admit I do find fault,

And can bemoan my fate!

The years are passing quickly,

And I'm not my ideal weight...

I am not wise with money,

And I haven't saved much cash,

My bank account is lonely,

For there's nothing like a stash.

The wrinkle creams aren't working,

I've cellulite, not thighs,

And I play around with makeup,

Making rainbows of my eyes.

Yet, pauper that I am,

I've traveled far and near,

And I'm wealthy in great friendships,

That enrich my life each year.

I don't need a special day,

To tell my friends what's in my heart,

Though miles may come between us,

We are never far apart.

Carmen Henesy

copyright August 3, 2014 by Carmen Henesy

Thanks to Bing Images for the photographs

Mumbai Monsoon - July 31, 2014

Morning skies as gray as slate,

No sunbeams peeking through,

Palm fronds wafting in the breeze,

For what will soon ensue.

The heavens gush in torrents,

Sheets of rain fall to the earth,

Birds cling to any shelter,

They hold for all they're worth.

Strong rivulets of water,

Swirl in overflowing streets,

Tarps loosen from their moorings,

Tin roofs feel the steady beats.

Drains clog and roadways flood,

Umbrellas sail like kites unfurled,

Annoying but much needed,

Is this watery monsoon world.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright July 31, 2014 by Carmen Henesy

Six Word Friday - Free - July 4, 2014

Happy 4th of July

Photo thanks to Bing Images, domain free

This is a day of celebration,

Of flags, families, fireworks, and friends,

Free and brave, we owe much,

Whisper thanks as this day ends.

We often take liberty for granted,

But I feel blessed every day,

 I was born in this country,

The best place of all - USA!

Carmen Henesy

copyright July 4, 2014 Carmen Henesy

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Happy 47th Anniversary to my Beloved Friends, Beth and Luther Stanton

Luther was a classmate,

Fifty years ago,

Beth, an underclassman,

Found him a worthy beau.

An Army brat outsider,

I never fit in well,

At Columbus High in Georgia,

I was not a reigning belle.

Luther, then "most handsome,"

( Well, he had a lot more hair ),

Befriended me regardless,

And it just went on from there!

I left home out of high school,

Returning now and then,

And, when I did, I'd always find,

That duo I'd call friend.

Once, they moved to Houston,

Which worked out fine for me,

 I'd see them when I'd spend time there,

To visit my friend, Sandy.

They traveled west occasionally,

And we'd try to rendezvous,

Can't miss an opportunity,

With friends so very true.

Beth and Luther see the world,

And I'm a traveler, too,

Sad we've never gone together,

It's on my bucket list to do!

Beth and Luther were my rocks,

My last months with my mom,

While I coped with her illness,

They were like a soothing balm.

Once a Stanton loves you,

You're embraced by all the clan,

So I acquired extended family,

When this relationship began.

From gatherings to eat at Country's,

To a fattening catfish meal, 

To one of Beth's five star breakfasts,

Which has the most appeal!

I haven't any shred of doubt,

This marriage was meant to be,

The Divine Wedding Planner,

For all time, did so decree!

Forty seven years of love,

Seen in their happy smiles,

I send you my best wishes,

Far across the miles!

And, no, my good friend, Luther,

No money comes from me,

You'll get your share, Beth, will, too,

When I win the lottery!

Carmen Henesy

copyright Carmen Henesy July 1, 2014

Six Word Friday - Circle - June 27, 2014

 Matillija poppy - egg yolk circle center,

Large crinkly white crepe paper petals,

Tall blooms, waving in the wind,

Enticing buzzing visitors seeking nectar nirvana.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright June 2014 by Carmen Henesy

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To learn more about this incredible flower, check out Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romneya

Three Word Wednesday - To Take a Chance - June 25, 2014

She had always been the shyest child, 

Never straying very far,

She walked the straight and narrow,

Avoiding anything bizarre.

She chose a college close to home,

And did her family proud,

She stayed within the limits,

Never breaching what allowed.

With her degree in finance,

Employment offers came her way,

But when she made her choice,

Her parents protested in dismay.

"A third world country," they exclaimed,

"It's such a risky place,"

"For all you knnow, you'll disapp   ear,

And be lost without a trace."

In spite of opposition,

She calmly moved ahead,

Got her passport, vaccinations,

With not a bit of dread!

"Your life will be in jeopardy,"

Her mother's chants rang out,

All felt she'd last, at best, a month,

Beyond a shadow of a doubt.

As soon as her plane landed,

A cathartic spell took hold,

And her true, adventurous spirit,

Was free, now, to unfold.

She thrived in this huge country,

With customs and cultures new,

Embracing all it offered,

And, for this, she was welcomed, too.

Carmen M. Henesy

Copyright June 2014 by Carmen Henesy

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risky, jeopardy, and cathartic

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