Chris, RN

Not outside looking in
But Inside looking out
Praying
To move a limb
To speak
To sing
To shout

Trapped inside a shell
Tears welling as dreams play
What else is he to do
Watching as his body decays

What else am I to say
An insufficient sorry in the dark
Wallowing in my own dismay
Holding him cause he's scared of the dark

Cause he is too young to go
But I would take another ailment
Just to see him walk
Or even talk
Without that thing in his throat
I would trade this dirty soul
Just to see him wiggle toes

But he is a heavy shell
Waiting only to be emptied
Cause the ones who say they love
Bask in pain
Lacking empathy

Holding on to the man that was
Not the skeleton that is suffering
I pray they let him go
Released from this purgatory.