Dialysis

I rush to reach you, Dad, but the bus creeps along.

I eat your cookies all day. There’s nothing else to do.

You tell the story about Andrew again. I don’t know how many times.

You nap all afternoon in your favorite chair. 

I eat your cookies all day. There’s nothing else to do.

It’s Thursday: you play bridge with Jackie, Frank and Sylvia.

You tell the story about Andrew again. I don’t know how many times.

You go to bed at 8:00. 

It’s Thursday: you play bridge with Jackie, Frank and Sylvia.

The Red Sox lost again.

You go to bed at 8:00.

You cannot remember when Mom died, so many other things.

The Red Sox lost again

You can’t find your glaucoma eye drops.

You cannot remember when Mom died, so many other things.

You resist the cane, the walker.

You can’t find your glaucoma eye drops.

You can no longer see to do the crossword.

You resist the cane, the walker.

Your arthritis stabs you in the shoulders.

You can no longer see to do the crossword.

You lurch down the halls, bloody from falls.

Your arthritis stabs you in the shoulders.

You refuse dialysis for your kidneys.

You lurch down the halls, bloody from falls.

Your back, throbbing, can’t unbend.

You refuse dialysis for your kidneys.

I rush to reach you Dad, but the bus creeps along.


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Father, You Remember

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The East River