Life, Interrupted - Poetry

by Laeticia Elise, MSW

she remembered nothing 

except...

that her father was

dead 

and she was alone

in this world

resigned to her fate 

the police brought her to a place

she did not know

what for

they told her she was sick

and weak

left her there

shut the door

i want to go home, to my home!

i don’t want to stay here

everyone looks different...

nothing seems

familiar

she remembers a pair of hands

no, not hers, someone else’s

supporting her

holding her up

rearranging the pieces

it was becoming easier

to smile and dream once more

they said she was getting better

better than how she was before

but...

everything seemed to move

too fast 

she felt she couldn’t keep up

one day it all came crashing down

unexpected blowup

she thought she would slip

through the cracks

no one would look for her

would anyone still remember?

wait

there was...

the social worker

she used to think there was no one

who cared enough to see the 

person 

behind 

the patient 

behind

the malady 

but now she knew 

there was someone  

who would be there for her

who could provide her with support

walk down this path with her

have her best interests at heart

respecting

affirming 

validating 

empowering 

making sure she doesn't fall apart 

she remembers 

the helping hands

which sought to

assist her

the eyes that witnessed her own pain

belonged to her social worker

Laeticia Elise is a medical social worker based in Singapore. She says, "It took me a long time to find my life's calling, but I never regretted it at any time, despite the pain and frustrations that are inherent in this job. I am in a uniquely privileged position, because I am often a witness to my clients' transformation and sometimes, emancipation."