The Hospital Room, A Poem
She leans back against
the cool green of the flaking
wall, eyes closed, hands
hanging
loose
open
they will be firm and strong
again
when she pushes off the wall,
her private moment done,
and re-enters the room.
He lies there, eyes once flashing full
of jokes and stories and
help and wonder and love and
let's grab a movie and that's
a cute
dress
on you
eyes still clear but now just waiting .
He sees her there, quiet at the door
"soon" he says smiling and
"it's all right"
and she knows he's right and she
knows it is but she wants
the bright memories
the voices
to wash away
this moment
forever .
And she sees outside his window
on spindle-frail twig legs,
a baby robin
tottering
in the shadow of its parent
waiting
for the long plunge
to freedom .
