ENDING 12. Cool Down Clara

ENDING

12. COOL DOWN CLARA

At home, Clara’s temperature is rising,

Sign of infection, danger.

If it continues must dash to hospital

For injections of antibiotics, close monitoring.

“Let’s try to cool you down, Clara.”

I put on the coolest music I know,

Modern Jazz Quartet, “Angel Eyes”,

Milt Jackson’s vibes like ice cubes

Plop, plop, clink,

So cool, serene.

“Lie down Clara.”

I massage her feet,

We talk of snow, ice, winter.

For a little while

We were still, calm,

A few beautiful moments with my daughter.

But, the song finished,

Her temperature continued to rise,

Off to hospital again.

13 November 2010