Jimmy

Climbing the stairs at home,
he believes he is climbing a tree
and calls his wife
to help him from the branches
that threaten to fold him
in their leafy arms,
hold very tight and never let him go.
Birds roost there;
he disturbs them with his movement,
his reachings out,
his grippings for support.
They flutter to the landing,
take over the bookcase,
affront the squirrels
with their indignation.
'Touch them', she says.
He touches wood and paper.

Kitty Coles

Note: Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is a common condition among people who have lost their sight. It causes people who have lost a lot of vision to see things that aren't really there, known as visual hallucinations.

If you have any comments on this poem, Kitty Coles  would be pleased to hear from you.