While feeding Sali lunch yesterday I would joke and make her smile and laugh. It was sweet. No matter how lousy I was feeling before, she made me feel better. I told her she had a happy heart and a blissful soul, and thanked her for making me feel happier. That’s when I wrote the first two lines. I thought about it some more and the next day when I came in to feed her, the last two lines came out spontaneously. She is my muse. Even though Sali is severely compromised on so many levels, she still maintains her inner nature, an inspiration to us all!
Sally has a happy heart
And a deeply blissful soul
When she laughs it all comes out
Leaving me smiling and whole
© Ken Chawkin
August 7, 2015
Fairfield, Iowa
Also see Sally’s Smile (Haiku for Nurse Dan) and Tanka For Sali Upholding Her Wonderful Nature.
The Uncarved Blog 
August 8, 2015 at 7:53 am |
[…] these newer poems: Sali’s Nature and Tanka For Sali Upholding Her Wonderful […]
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August 8, 2015 at 7:57 am |
[…] See Sally’s Smile (Haiku for Nurse Dan) and Sali’s Nature […]
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January 5, 2016 at 11:06 pm |
[…] feeding Sali lunch today I whispered in her ear that she radiates goodness and joy. It is her inner nature. It shows in her smile, no matter what changes she’s going through with the illness. Whether […]
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June 30, 2017 at 2:03 am |
[…] Sali never lost her sense of humor. Years later, when she could no longer speak, she would still smile and giggle, bringing joy to some of the nurses and aides who looked after her. Her inner nature remained the same; it was always uplifting to be with her. […]
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