Wandering in the hospital
lobby
in blue pajamas
Unpressed
wrinkled
blue pajamas
I called out
"Hey here I am"
We sat by his bedside
he stopped his smoking
Yet still gagged on his spit

I tried to speak
my words were like
snowflakes hitting war water
Just as they took shape
they disappeared

"I've stopped smoking
I am on a health diet"

His words had hope
His face showed despair

Our eyes filled with water
we held back the tears

I can not come to visit
this part of me must die
all by itself
I said to myself

"When will you return?"
he asked
"Tomorrow!" I lied

We hugged
His breath
smelled of sickness
This time he cried

Walking out of the
hospital lobby
into the white light
of the sun
I said to myself
I am not made
to look down
death's dark
corridor