my throat still burns when 11:30 comes around
it gets late
and i think about the way you used to hold me
the way you saved pet names for goodnight
the way it was always sweetheart
(it didn't occur to me until now that you
probably called her that as well)
the way your pain meds would knock you out for hours
and i'd watch you sleep and snuggle up with your dog
and i'd wish i could help

the day you went into surgery
my throat stayed closed like this
but that all worked out fine, didn't it?
i was a bigger problem than a broken shoulder