My ancient neighbour
on his slow progress along the landscape of his life
had a fall, hurt his ankle.
No, it wasn’t broken he said
didn’t want to go to hospital
his wife was sent there years ago
and she never returned.
His grandson drove him to hospital for x-rays
nothing broken
but they kept him overnight
just in case there was something else.
He protested
wanted to go home,
but very old people are often treated like truculent children
his plea was ignored.
They treated him well
and finally he went to sleep
and never got to see another morning.