statements

sat on these statements for weeks awaiting
to find the right-minded person to speak
56 summers (and a young 56!)
but it's draining from me: brain attacks.

lonely, a nightmare set in hospital
(worse, not knowing whose the nightmare is)
the staff change, shift changes, I’m going blind
long-shadowed in my body's sunset

physical, mental pain, frayed sleeved
hand trapped within my own body weight
neighbour losing hearing, he’s lost speech
we’re all learning in the same boat

live through, it does get better, find
like-minded souls, sat on these statements.


Richard Lewis