Veneer

Susan Trigg
Author: Susan Trigg
Word Count: 169
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Veneer

Please note that this is not intended as a criticism of the medical profession, but rather an observation about how our society deals with terminal illness and death.

Veneer belongs to the following groups:

All Out Emotion, Melbourne & Victoria and Vibration in Art and Verse - VAVoom!

When you face the unknown
The great black hole of, what?
The final journey
the end which may be the beginning
how do you cope with the ghastly finality

If you don’t believe in an afterlife
a glorious reward for a life of service
what then?
what comfort do you derive
from watching the hourglass empty?

Our society has an answer to that
it is a medical answer
couched in euphemisms
providing a veneer
over the reality of ‘future’

You might be uncomfortable
we will do our best to make you comfortable
we have many tricks up our sleeves
we will manage your pain
there are resources you can access

So your days are filled with cocktails
of drugs
Not the ones you imagined
when you were young
but a careful balance of relief and side-effect

You watch as the dog chases its tail
and the parasite that is now part of you
saps your strength
as you count out the pills
while the clock ticks relentlessly

  • linaji

    linaji

    I was just thinking how glad I am I don’t do medicine.. Your missed by me and this hits a huge point straight up !! hugs too!

  • Susan Trigg replied

    Thank you dear linaji! I hope you are always able to avoid medicine – it’s a two-edged sword, to be sure. I’m trying to both ‘be in the moment’ and also step back occasionally and reflect. I can feel you sending good vibes my way :)

  • erich biemer

    erich biemer

    powerful…powerful stuff here…..i know it so well…..
    namaste

  • Susan Trigg replied

    I’m sorry that you’re able to connect with this from your own experience, but I appreciate your comment. Best wishes!

  • Coronus

    Coronus

    This penetrated me! So much so that I don’t have an articulate comment. wow!

  • Susan Trigg replied

    Thanks, Jonathan – it’s a difficult subject to write about, but nonetheless important I feel :)

  • Coronus

    Coronus

    P.S I used to work in Healthcare – and sadly this described a situation that ninty percent of my patients found themselves in.

  • autumnwind

    autumnwind

    This is a reality many of us must face. Your words are hard hitting and affect me deeply. A difficult write to think about, and so well written. Warmest wishes to you. hugs, shar xoxoxo

  • Susan Trigg replied

    Many thanks, shar! I appreciate your support for my work, and your good wishes :)

  • JaneSolomon

    JaneSolomon

    Very difficult subject. The reality is hard to imagine. The pain of having someone you love being terminally is as hard as it must be for the person. Thank you for sharing. xx

  • Susan Trigg replied

    Thank you Jane – yes, it’s difficult to come to terms with, but we must, unfortunately. Writing about it is my way of trying to make sense of it, and let the hurt out. Stay well :)

  • Jane Keats
  • Susan Trigg replied

    Thank you so much – what a lovely surprise!!

  • skinnyman

    skinnyman

    A tour de force S….:) x

  • Susan Trigg replied

    Thank you so much, skinnyman!!

  • Bekyy93

    Bekyy93

    Congrats on being featured in All Out Emotion
    :)
    - Bekyyx

  • Susan Trigg replied

    Thank you, Bekyy93 :)

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