by celeste

Created on: February 28, 2007   Last Updated: July 11, 2009

Night is Nigh

Last machines
rattle down hospital hall
as somber technician
gathers the films
for filing.

Pain ebbs
as his doctor relieves
malignant ascites-
fluid pulled from abdomen
through final needle and tubes.
His body relaxes.

His wife says,
"We need to talk options."
He gazes at us
gathered at his gurney.
"I love you all,
but I'm tired. I want
to die."

So we move
from patterns of holding life
to weaving tapestries
for death:

pain control
home instead of trips to hospital
oxygen and complex rhythm
of being there
for his wife
and child

absorbing their words
and listening
for silence.

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