The Law of Life

The Law of Life

Conversation in a care home. Soria, Spain.  March, 2016.

“Es ley de vida, Maria.”

It is the law of life, Maria.

This is how things are, you know.

Two years ago, I knew

I had to leave my home and go.

I could no longer cook or clean,

Or even pick the few beans

In the garden,

To boil for my meal.

It is the law of life, Maria,

And no one is exempt.

Not even the little girls

Running down the street,

That we once were.

So here we are

And we do what we can.

I can still use a needle, thank God,

And so they bring me all the little things

That need some stitching here or there,

Or I sew a name on a new white blouse.

And I am useful in a way.

And so we must go on.

We do what we can do.

I know that here the days are long

And we know every mark on the floor

From hours of careful watching,

Or else we study the ceiling

Or the window in the opposite wall.

For when we are still and sitting here,

We cause no trouble.

We who ruled our little school room

And silenced the chatter of the wayward boys

Who now themselves are old.

We who ruled the farm

Who knew each goat and cow

And when they fed and what to do when they were ill.

We who ran our family

And reared our children

And taught them what to do

And then, when needed, taught

Our children’s children too.

When we are still and sitting here,

We cause no trouble.

A little walk outside

In the air and in the sun

Is the highlight of the day.

But there we are.

We do what we can do.

Listen, they are calling us for supper.

It is time to go,

To make a move

To begin our daily pilgrimage to the dining room.

So let us start the slow progression

To our table.

I wonder what we’ll have today.

The soup is always good, you know.

And so, Maria, let us go

Along the passage.

And as they push your chair,

I’ll walk beside you,

While I can.