Death and the Student

My grandmother and I were  the best of friends. However when her final illness dragged on, I, a student at the time, didn't have the time to spend with her. I think it's not unusual for young people at that age to be too self-centred, but that selfishness has rankled ever since.

Before the End

 

The bedside lamp shone

in the pool of her eye;

it made her teeth translucent,

runnelled her face.

 

Daylight and I were reluctant visitors;

the  room smelling of trapped breath,

sickness and decay made me anxious

that I might inhale her disease;

 

and all I loved gone,

all dwindled down to duty.