Hi honey, I’m back.
guuuurrrggglle
your greeting.
I look at you
your eyes stare vacantly
yet – you recognise me
I hurry to wipe the drool
that hangs down to the pillow
how was your day?
Gluugggaaaaphhh
you understand, and respond thus
every day.
I lift your limp hand,
stroking the parched skin,
so tender I’m scared it’ll break.
guuuurrrggglle
hands that had once stroked,
caressed, and taken me
to heights of ecstasy.
your lips swollen
I apply a balm again
never seems to work
the skin chapped- raw and red
I miss their warmth and
their kissess so soft,
so supple, so sensual,
that once covered
my whole being
the tube through your nose
seems to have become a
part of you
I pat your cheek
Gluugggaaaaphhh
you love my doing that
always responding, though
your face is dead pan
how you loved to hold your face
close to mine
sitting for hours
me on your lap
our faces touching
no words spoken
bliss
I run my hands through your hair
guuuurrrggglle
still silky as it was before
you would throw your head back to
get the hair in place
how I adored that
your neck can no longer support anything
gaunt ,every nerve screaming
I pat your neck
Gluugggaaaaphhh
I pull away the sheet – the sight
never fails to sting my eyes
your once muscular body
now wasted
all skin and bone
three years in bed have taken
away your pounds of flesh
gently I wipe you down
like I would have our baby
had she been born
guuuurrrggglle
she died in my womb
the same instant
as the crash did this to you
they want my “yes”
to pull the plug
brain dead
is what they say
Gluugggaaaaphhh
but I know
you still feel my touch
you understand my
every word
every mood
every action
every thought
every feeling
like you did before.
sweetheart, the only plug
that’s being pulled is
the one in the
bathtub.
guuuurrrggglle
A very intense and compassionate work .
Touching
Powerful piece of work, I appreciate it Elizabeth.
A very touching piece… nicely expressed, Elizabeth!
Thanks Sunila. Appreciate your words.
Poignant and moving. Loved it, Liz.