sun stabs/invades little room
in the middle of the hall second floor
patients waking up noisily say it is Saturday
but here time is lost in the sea of grief
waiting for the next breath
our vigil continues
Mom goes home to clean up
he seems more still----peaceful
talk turns to funeral plans
we take our turns going home
Winnipeg world seems too normal
in our static lives
question hangs in air
is nothing more to be done?
now it is just the waiting and solemn leave-taking
I go home for Saturday night
bed too comfortable
for this jagged time
early Sunday drive back
through snow and tears
others can take a break
nothing changes in the room
can he be weaker?
fighting for every breath
hymns play in background
mom and I on either side of bed
fatigue and sadness bear her up
it seems he asks for water a last time
we brush his lips with the sponge
Lieber Vater hoch im himmel rings through small speakers
breathing slows down long pauses
we both stand and wait
as he breathes out his last
I look to see my mother
alone-----now-----bereft
his spirit gone
leaving body cold
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