October 24th, 2021

As you lay dying,
The sun came up, but no birds sang.
I did not hear them sing.

The tubes were there, but empty. Your toes were cold,
Dead already.

“We’ve done all we can,” the doctor said at last,
Twelve days too late.

Twelve days you lay,
No response, coma-bound,
My one true love.

‘Untube him, Sister, let him die”,
He said – “And wait outside.
We’ll come to get you
When it’s time.”

They came too late.
Where did you go?
Are the birds singing?