Tag: empathy

  • Goodnight

    Goodnight

    She said her goodbyes today Her “I’ve had a great life, and oh, the times I’ve had” I smiled and tried to brush the implications aside, said “I’ll see you next week.” She smiled, closed her eyes, but didn’t respond. Suddenly, just when I thought she’d fallen asleep, her eyes opened, sharpened, “Look after him…

  • Warmth and silence

    Warmth and silence

    It was a grey and silent day where I am. A quiet work environment, with clouds that seemed to touch the ground. I felt the weight of silence on my soul today. The other shoe so close to dropping for one, two, several people. Beyond my reach and out of my control. I know enough…

  • The dance

    The dance

    A faded corner in a crowd A silhouette without a face I look around for clarity But return empty from the chase The winter is cold and brutal My faith lacks for strength Each day drags with exhaustion No shortage in its length Some days last forever An eternity in a glance I close my…

  • Burn the witch!

    Burn the witch!

    I’ve walked through today feeling guilty for some reason, like I forgot to do something. Like maybe I was tardy for an event, or stood someone up. It’s the feeling I’ve gotten in the past when I know that I’ve let someone down, but for the life of me, I can’t think of a single…

  • Ten months

    Ten months

    I just got a notification from bluehost, the company that owns my domain for thoughtsalad, reminding me that it was due for renewal in less than 60 days. When I first signed up to write my blog, it was as a personal challenge. I wanted to unload from the sometimes emotionally exhausting work that I…

  • Horizon

    Horizon

    The clouds obscure the edge, world dropping off unannounced The horizon stretches out, the distance pronounced We travel this world naked and alone wrapped in illusions that feel like home Unique to our experiences, no two the same, we struggle and learn, solitaire our game At the end of our journey, Our own judgement we…

  • Expiry date

    Expiry date

    It always comes as a shock The rusting of the vessel expiration dates That come too soon Tides and seasons wait For no one Life a series of blinks, Too soon flying away Another breath catches, Releases, Fades into the dark night Alone at the end, The body crumples Then lies silent, Waiting for the…

  • Adrift

    Adrift

    Today I spent only part of the day at work. But I must confess, it felt like so much more. To hold the hand of someone when they’ve lost the love of their life, to just be there, is one of the most difficult parts of my job. Sometimes I feel like giving bad news…

  • The magic of the season

    The magic of the season

    When I sat down to rest for the first time tonight, I was struck by how miraculous life is. It’s been a long week of sickness, worrying about a few people who aren’t doing as well as I’d like, wishing I had the same kind of powers the people in my books do. I could…

  • Art and Science

    Art and Science

    Another day where I look through my inbox and discover bad news for someone. It happens almost every day, in one way or another. Part of doing what I do is to listen, ask questions, and find clues. I think it’s fitting that Sherlock Holmes was created by a doctor, because I often feel like…