In the blue light
Before dawn,
I run my fingers
Along your surgical scars
That crosses your abdomen
Like the mark of bear claws.
Watch, as you sleep,
Try to detect
Spasms of pain
Twist on your face.
Hope your dreams are unscathed.
Laugh to myself;
Think; what a pack rat you are!
Unread Readers Digests
Still in plastic wrappers,
Piles of books
On the great battles of World War II
Jumbled beside the bed
So unwilling to let go:
Thread-bare clothes,
Old letters from boyhood friends,
Your collection of comic books,
Hearken back to simpler times of youth.
How you still, strive for knowledge
In those history books!
I try to think
Of ways to comfort you,
Cool salves,
Magical herbal blends,
Angel food cake with ripe, red strawberries
I know it can not
Be enough.
I press the palm of my hand
Against your arm,
Warm, bumpy with needle sticks and
Find reassurance in your pulse.