Dad’s Hip Fracture
It took only one slip
from your chair
to make your life as
fragile as the broken bone.
I’ve
fallen and I can’t get up
no laughs or sniggers
from the television
audience,
this time it is real.
Two
from
Physical Therapy
come
to up.
lift you
I know that you will not
walk again,
Curled up like an autumn
leaf,
you sleep. The pump that
carried you
through 89 years, failing.
For the last time,
it trickles the blood
uphill. Your last breath
so weak it could not puff
out a candle.
The Broken Plate 2020
Dad’s Hip Fracture
It took only one slip from your chair
to make your life as fragile as the broken bone.
I’ve fallen and I can’t get up
no laughs or sniggers
from the television audience,
this time it is real.
Two
from
Physical Therapy
come
to up.
lift you
I know that you will not walk again,
Curled up like an autumn leaf,
you sleep. The pump that carried you
through 89 years, failing. For the last time,
it trickles the blood uphill. Your last breath
so weak it could not puff out a candle.
it trickles the blood uphill. Your last breath
so weak it could not puff out a candle.
The Broken Plate 2020
