Remains
Lying lost in blankets
The tiny skeletal form
Not yet the remains
We wait for her to go.
A brief moment of facial recognition.
Incoherent mumbles
A declaration of love?
A plea for repose?
Or admonishment
For promises broken?
From sunken lips, the utterance.
Eyes meet in watery glances
Helpless hands in comforting delusions.
The cancer feeding like carrion.
Three nights long
Scornfully clinging to bitter life.
Three days more
We shared her pain
Useless and awkward
Longing to unleash sorrow.
Kiss goodbye.
Final words.
All that remains.
Ciaran Burke
