He was dying as I went to the clinic
and everything looked stiff
as we tried to smile
but it wasn’t easy and
we gave it up.
Winter was closing in and
the traffic was indifferent downstairs.
The glasses showed lights streaking across
and we were restless.
I was sweating in my perfume
and cosmetics
when he looked up
and mumbled something.
Yes, dear
I tried to reach out and
clasped his thin hands in mine
my lips felt chapped.
He said I was looking great
just like the old days
and we nodded at our memories
that had been such a waste.