---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108-page perfect-bound ISSN#/ISBN# issue/paperback book “The Cosmos is a Lonely Place” cc&d, v341, the 1/24 issue Order the 6"x9" paperback book:

Order this writing in the book In the Moment the cc&d January - April 2024 magazine issues collection book		get the 426-page January - April 2024 cc&d magazine 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

A Place You Could Not Follow

Thomas Elson

I’ll soon be there
And our lives, still joined, will separate
Maybe ever so slightly - a crack in the foundation
Possible deeper and faster than anticipated
My speed will diminish
My understanding will lessen
My patience – such as it is – will dissolve

I barely survived yesterday -
Heart irregularities, dizziness, loss of balance
My fear – perhaps a recognition from decades
Working with physicians
negated a call to the doctor        Only to be
sent to the emergency room        Only to be
told to sit for ninety minutes        To be
without medication        Because
Doctors are in short supply        Because
beds are in short supply        Because
I’d rather die at home
even if alone

I remained silent as you left the house        To
Help your brother        To
Visit your grandson
I remained on our reclining divan        In case
I fainted        In case
the blood pressure cuff read lower
the pulse higher
than before you drove away
86/42 – 119 pulse
64/31 – 124 pulse
Repeated every fifteen minutes
Dizziness and disorientation as if from a blow to the head
Chest exhausted
Frozen inside stunned incomprehension        Decisions
too complicated        Movement
too difficult        Breaths
too short.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...