so this is grief / back pressed / against the arm rest
glasses ***** / gut clenched
throat forcing / tea too hot / hangnail so aware
sweating / racing / mind / body / missed connection

how do we say / goodbye / be at peace
with tubes / machines / mouth breathing
denial and destruction / mistrust and misinformation
stole life / ripped breath / shredded dignity

buttoned check shirt / unsightly beard
weak / titanium built / soft / out of reach
all's fair / in love / war / life
but what about / death

two gone / old but not
ready / prepared / permission granted
no more / pain / waiting / uncertainty
the finality / no relief

the living / we still feel
hearts keep beating / twisted fate
memories swirl / smoke wisps and cotton
weak / titanium built / soft / out of reach