Who are you?
I don’t recognize you in that gown.
I’ve never heard you make these sounds.
And you’ve never smelled like a nursing home.
Would you please get better, dear?

Don’t look at me like that.
I’m tired of your tired eyes.
Sitting there, your face so pale
Your skin is rather greasy.
Would you please wear makeup, dear?

Every day. For three **** weeks.
Doctors, nurses, mechanical beeps.
The same stretch of highway; the same lack of sleep.
I have needs. Pay attention to me.
Would you mind if I stayed home tonight?

You love me. You need me.
If you were me, you’d never leave.
I hate it when the morphine speaks.
You’ll be ok; just go to sleep.
Would you please not need me here?

Who are you?
I used to love you; now I hate you.
But I hate myself for hating you.
Just let me go, let me go.
Would you please not love me, dear?

So I can say goodbye.