Everyday

Everyday

North Ward. Third bed. No teeth. He smiles.
The same smile he did at Christmas.
They told me then not long to go.
Eight weeks. No change. No hair. He smiles.

I smile. He smiles. I cry. They come.
He doesn't even know I'm there.
They told me that not long ago.
I smile again. I don't know why.

The doctor comes. She has no news.
No change. No chance. We must just wait.
Until the Lord decides it's time.
She smiles for comfort and then leaves.

If he could move, he'd pull the plug.
No point taking up this bed.
That's how he was not long ago.
He smiles. I smile, and head for home.