MIDDLE 8. Still Life

8. STILL LIFE

Night in the hospital

Walking from Clara’s room

To the kitchen

I see them,

She tall, slim, mournful,

Standing head bowed,

Cradling baby

Beside them IV drip feed machine

Upright, wheeled stand,

Steady, insistent pulse beat.

I stare a moment, unnoticed

See a picture

Beauty and Sorrow.

Mother, weary, willing her child to live.

If she can just love her enough,

Surely she will live.

Baby quiet,

Weak from sickness and chemo.

They stand solitary, still,

Deep in the silent night,

Madonna, child and chemo drip.

(2010)