Death

Today I watched the huge maple across the lane
It’s leaves falling to the ground, the colour of flames
A few days ago it was a ball of fire, now death has crept over it
Beginning at the top, the branches are undressed of their glory
And stand like skinny naked sticks defying the gray sky
It is so complete, this death.

A few days ago my patient died in the hospital
I was with him before he went, sitting on the edge of his bed
In front of my very eyes I watched him diminish
I asked a question and he looked up at me once
And I was shocked to be confronted with the yawning pools
of blackness that were his eyes

Some deaths, I have heard, are noble and fine
The pain is no less, but there is some measure of hope
To sustain the one who is confronted with his own end
But this one was like watching him being sucked into a dark abyss
He had no family, not even one, and he knew it
I couldn’t hide in my eyes that he was dying

I wrapped my arms around his emaciated frame
As if I was trying to shield him from his death, his shame
But I cannot keep the leaves from falling from the skies
I cannot quench the scent of death, that pours from his eyes
I cannot soothe the cold finality that tears away his soul
And look inside, and speak of life, when death is knocking at the door