He’s shutting down,
though he might have
weeks to go yet. He
stopped exercising
at the Y, stopped eating
much, but hasn’t stopped
seeking her touch.;
He looks at green trees
with sadness; they seem
so alive, eternal, magic.
He counts down the hours
every day; they seem so
unbending, relentless.;
He sleeps more, waits for
the other shoe to drop,
the one that makes cancer
turn painful and tragic.
He wants for nothing,
expects nothing. Barely
dares to hope for more.;
first published in Plainsongs Journal
also published in Aries
©2013 Bonnie Manion