Dying in the hospital bed
Soft skin, ice chips
Lips cracked and parched
Distended stomach
IVs gurgling in and out of veins
Tumors running rampant
Swallowing internal organs for snacks
A five year battle- ovarian cancer
Touching hands, kissing fingertips- Internalized prayer
“God, if you make her better,
I will take her place.”
Not better
Emotional pain for those waiting
Sorrow
Tears
Monitors blink
Family members fidget in chairs
Like little girls having to pee
Opting to hold it for as long
As they possibly can
Last snuggle in the hospital bed
Your last sweet breath tickling her ears
Death in her arms
Gardenias and peach roses
The funeral was beautiful
Such a beautiful day
Oh to touch your soft skin one more time
Sun so bright
Orange leaves speckle the mountainside
Hazy sadness lurking behind eyes
Tears rolling down cheeks
Feeling faint
Sobbing, grabbing at arms…any
A peach rose in hand
Puzzled faces as I drop peach roses and gardenias on a cherry wood casket
I’ll remember her
Every time I see a peach rose or smell gardenias on a sunny day,
I will think of her
Jeni McCreary
*Dedicated to my Grandma Joyce, my Mom & my Aunties. No child should have to hold their parent in their arms when they die, but maybe it is a blessing? My Mom is the little girl in the sweet dress.
strengthdefined 