just inside the door
he gasps for air
laboring, I think, not to hold on
but to let go
his heaving, quickened shortness of breath
disheartening
each movement a moment in pain
his wizened face and body
recognizable
but so very hard to witness
the family is stronger than me
just inside the door
his mother and daughter
holding his hands
to give him whatever peace they can
not a comforting for themselves, but for him
one he can sense and feel and know
just outside the door
we wait with other waiters
groups of other families congregating
visiting and supporting loved ones
but mostly waiting
as death seems not impatient
just outside the door
people are talking and laughing
little children are playing
life goes on
as we hold back the tears
just inside the door
there is no hope for recovery
his cancer incurable
his suffering long
just inside the door
a drug induced peace
a restlessness
as hearts are kept waiting
to bid a final farewell
Aug 1, 2010
Aug 1, 2010 at 5:13 PM UTC
just inside the door
he gasps for air
laboring, I think, not to hold on
but to let go
his heaving, quickened shortness of breath
disheartening
each movement a moment in pain
his wizened face and body
recognizable
but so very hard to witness
the family is stronger than me
just inside the door
his mother and daughter
holding his hands
to give him whatever peace they can
not a comforting for themselves, but for him
one he can sense and feel and know
just outside the door
we wait with other waiters
groups of other families congregating
visiting and supporting loved ones
but mostly waiting
as death seems not impatient
just outside the door
people are talking and laughing
little children are playing
life goes on
as we hold back the tears
just inside the door
there is no hope for recovery
his cancer incurable
his suffering long
just inside the door
a drug induced peace
a restlessness
as hearts are kept waiting
to bid a final farewell
© July 31, 2010
My brother died at 7:10 a.m. on August 1, 2010.