hospice

the rush is done

your ragged rasps no longer
.....tear the hush

fading flowers congregate
behind a throng of empty chairs
.....a wake of petals, cards, balloons,
..........paper cups and plastic spoons
..............littering the windowsill
lingering fragrance chokes the air
.....stings my eyes
.....clings to the bedclothes

I’m alone

jostling voices gone
crowded calendar clear
uncramped hours stretch before me

all my pressing obligations
complicated situations
crushing passions and flirtations
sundry pleasures and vacations in exotic destinations
ambitions and frustrations and adverse considerations
....merge and blur
....converging in

..........your face

always you waited

I found a place
for you
at last

still
you are
.....out of breath
..........and time

and all I have is
.....space

hospice