Grandpa’

Curled up around your wrinkled flesh I was
when you were nearly in a comatose.
I’m not certain if you ever listened,
but our whimsical memories; I tried to recall.

I was laying by your side, clasping your textured hands tenderly
in that ol’ cold narrow hospital bed in which you settled.
Endeavoring to conquer the fear that took upon thyself
stating, “It’s going to be okay, I promise”.

Resting horizontally, composedly
Tantalized by mere death you were
It who waited eagerly in the corner,
with a mischievous smile, longing,
for your heartbeats to cease.

You took an effortlessly step to your perfect getaway-
similar to your early teenage runaways
to a dimension unknown to my dilated pupils.
Abandoning me – Not a farewell even.

You did not instruct me how to live without you,
how to bear your unexcused absence.
Who will be in charge of these tears
that slowly stream down my cheeks?
Who will serenade my soul
with an ‘I love you, dear’?

I couldn’t shield you from death,
it was thoroughly uncontrollable.
It had no off switch to quench.

I’m sorry.