The Empty Chair

The Empty Chair

A simple smile, her wrinkled face

A love of sweets, such joy a piece of pie brings

Love of music, listen to her play

By the window every day, sitting in her chair.

Ever so slow, dignity stripped away

Sicker with each passing year, unnoticeable

 A fall, a broken hip, a hospital stay

 Still smiling, sitting in her chair.

Labored breath, sicker still

 So tired, dread floats in the air

 Decision made, familiar hospital run

 Soon she'll be home, happy in her chair.

Run for her nitro, already too late

 Terrible last breath, limp and gone

 That last anguished sound, a heart broken

 All I now see is her empty chair.

Father in the hospital, not again

A stroke, dignity ripped away

The man he was, crudely erased

Bound to a wheel chair, day after day.

Visit often, time not on his side

Some stay away, garbled words terrifying

Strong made weak, not the man they knew

Fear, a barricade at the front door.

If only they knew, that awful last breath

Push passed the regrets, and the fear

Unbearable weight, a painful sight

Another shadow and his empty wheel chair.