Go Gently

What do you see, a feeble figure? Urinating in the bed
Brittle ribs fractured by resuscitation. Plastic and alien, all tubes and beeping.

Do you see a dirty word? The incessant niggle; the twinge we cannot master.
The final insult; we have conquered the sky and analysed the atom
Crying “not so!” at the night and making prayers of clinical intervention.

Perhaps you see piteous vulnerability? A man reduced to babyhood.
Frightening and jolting; you are soothed by miracles of policy and procedure.

I am looking too. I see a strong and dignified man
Dressed simply for the journey in hat and cape and calm repose.
His packed bag waits. And there, now look, the cage is ajar
Two white birds;
One for all his loves, one for all his losses. They are starting to sing
Fluttering, stirring
Preparing to take flight.