The Yale Journal for Humanities in Medicine

Al

Kathleen Grieger
kathygrieger@sbcglobal.net

I was told I didn't need to speak
He could not answer me
he would no longer understand

I read to him. Magazines,
news clips, humor
He had always made me laugh

No movement, eyes closed
No reaction. I continued to read
hoping he would hear me

Watching his chest, I listened
He breathed so slow,
he seemed to be sighing

Thinking of what we
had joked about from the day
I married his son, I lied

I told him I was pregnant
he was going to be a grandpa
I loved him

His breath a low breeze
he whispered “Thank you,
I love you too”

His shallow
breathing
stopped

Published: June 4, 2007