7/5/14

LATE VISIT

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