For Ted and Norma
For Dirk and Gus
(Part 1)
I
It`s 4am my darling, I
have waited for your sleep
To say goodbye
The nurse has vowed
to care for you
That one with braided hair
and honesty
residing in
deep pools behind
her eyes
You`ll not discern
just where I`ve gone
in the muddle
of your mixed up mind
Not sure myself
where I`m going
Only know
the longing
and the love
will be staying
II
The time
is always 4am -
the dying.
Where is our place
in this undertaking?
Our Sister
clasps your wrists
and swabs the cobwebs
from your throat
These ungodly mornings:
The dying
They wait until Christmas
to disperse
III
A brother leaves us
huddled at the foot
Auntie speaks in tongues
over the bed
I hiss at her
until she turns to tea
Little one
you saw a man
with wings
he sat with you
and counted beads
on your rosary
only
Our Father
could bear
the end
Written by Reka Jellema and Kathryn Ross October 24, 2014
Copyright Kathryn Ross & Reka Jelema 2014
For Dirk and Gus
(Part 1)
I
It`s 4am my darling, I
have waited for your sleep
To say goodbye
The nurse has vowed
to care for you
That one with braided hair
and honesty
residing in
deep pools behind
her eyes
You`ll not discern
just where I`ve gone
in the muddle
of your mixed up mind
Not sure myself
where I`m going
Only know
the longing
and the love
will be staying
II
The time
is always 4am -
the dying.
Where is our place
in this undertaking?
Our Sister
clasps your wrists
and swabs the cobwebs
from your throat
These ungodly mornings:
The dying
They wait until Christmas
to disperse
III
A brother leaves us
huddled at the foot
Auntie speaks in tongues
over the bed
I hiss at her
until she turns to tea
Little one
you saw a man
with wings
he sat with you
and counted beads
on your rosary
only
Our Father
could bear
the end
Written by Reka Jellema and Kathryn Ross October 24, 2014
Copyright Kathryn Ross & Reka Jelema 2014