An old lady
in a grimy
house gown
lids half opened
revealed perfect
unstaring eyes
wrinkled lips remained
half snagged on
yellowing teeth
I strapped on latex gloves
and touched and prodded
and felt the skin
I rubbed the fore
head with my fingers
trying to massage
her quietly awake
I played with the eye
lids pulling them back
up with my fingertips
then released them
and watched as they
slowly shut halfway
back down in silence
It was hard to believe
those eyes remained
sightless so I reached
over and held her hand