deepundergroundpoetry.com

The Last Thing That Was Said


I was strolling through the hospital wards        
With basket of freshly made sandwiches        
And single-serving green salad entrees        
With Ranch dressing packs sealed in plastic wrap,      
Apples, spring water & mango fruit juice.      
       
I'd sell my wares at each nurse's station      
To floor staff and ambulatory guests,      
Always looking over shoulders, gazing      
Into some of the semi-private rooms,      
Sometimes hearing a person moaning low      
Without a visitor to comfort them.      
       
So one day, determined, when no one watched      
I softly walked in room 312, bed B,      
I set down my basket on a green chair      
And went to stand by the side of the drapes      
And listened to the patient's even breath.      
       
I saw a senior lady sleeping there.      
Her skin's pallor glowing in the dim light,      
Her wavy white hair fluffy as cotton.      
IV drip sliding saline from a bag      
To hypo taped on the back of her hand      
Boney and veiny with long fingernails.      
       
I pulled up another green chair nearby      
And scooted it close as I took a seat.      
A nurse's aide came in to check the chart,      
Took down the latest stats on a keyboard,      
Heard the heart monitor's double-blip chirps.      
       
The aide said "Your lunch order, Mrs. Crane."      
The old lady stirred and murmured in pain      
"No!  I can't stomach that hospital food."      
The girl left, merging back out in the hall      
While I turned to look back into her face      
That grimaced, eyes flickered open at me.      
       
I leaned and gave her a kind little smile      
And said "Well hello there, how do you do?"      
The daunted Mrs. Crane squinted and blinked      
And knitted her brow in a frown, and spoke      
"And who do I have the honor to meet?"      
       
It was said sarcastically I knew that,      
So I stood up to go get my basket      
But instead of walking off in a huff      
I turned 'round to show her my tasty stuff.      
Oooh, her crusty eyes grew wide as she saw;      
I hoped she could smell the turkey with cheese.      
       
Returned, said "Let me give you one of these."      
The stodgy old face went suddenly bright,      
Hand shook as she grabbed the gourmet delight      
And with that first bite I conversed with her,      
I couldn't resist the joy that I felt.      
       
So, each day, I'd set a time for our date      
To bring her the treats she came to enjoy      
Including the smiles my company brought,      
The least I could do for my new-found friend      
Who's time on this earth would one day soon end,      
But till then was given quality time.      
       
I'd learned early on her favorite dish      
Was when I'd bring her from Baskin-Robbins      
Her own pint of Jamoca Almond Fudge.      
I'd spoon it to her, she'd offer me some,      
And looked forward to each day that I'd come.      
       
One day I showed with the pint in a bag      
And saw how listless and quiet she was.      
We chatted a while, well mostly I talked,      
And told her about the weather outside      
And wished that day we could go for a walk.      
She spoke softly then and cradled my hand.      
       
My eyes began to tear and burn a while,      
And I said "I brought lunch, but most of all      
I've got your favorite treat that you love best."      
And dear Mrs. Crane, squeezing my hand, said      
"Not just now, my dear girl, I need to rest."      
     
       
       
       
(Non-fiction account)    
Baskin-Robbins' Jamoca Almond Fudge = ice cream
Written by Jade-Pandora (jade tiger)
Published | Edited 17th May 2017
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 10 reading list entries 2
comments 18 reads 938
Commenting Preference: 
The author is looking for friendly feedback.

Latest Forum Discussions
POETRY
Today 2:14am by ajay
SPEAKEASY
Today 1:42am by Billy_Snagg
SPEAKEASY
Today 00:10am by LunaGreyhawk
SPEAKEASY
Yesterday 11:47pm by Too_hot69
SPEAKEASY
Yesterday 11:46pm by Too_hot69
SPEAKEASY
Yesterday 11:10pm by Ahavati