A white boyfriend meets his black girlfriend’s parents for the first time. Her parents instantly know she is happy because her marbled-grey eyes sparked again. They had not seen a sparkle in her eyes like that since she had been a very young girl after she got her first puppy. The puppy had since grown into a dog and had been healthy, living well past its expected years. In great health, the dog excitedly greeted the white boy, wagging his tell and trying so hard to jump up and lick his face. The black girl’s parents clearly knew from how the dog greeted the white boy that he surely would be the husband to complete their daughter’s grey world.
I know how this should be: I've seen it, you see, In soap operas, Movies. Your eyes are closed, As if in sleep. Perfect peachy skin Atop a snow white pillow Under flawlessly matched sheets. The heart monitor, Quiet bleeps. The ventilator, A steady hiss. None of that is this. Your eyes Stuck open Seeing without sight Yellow sclera Dumb tears streaming. Tubes, taped to your face Delicate skin torn Where nurses Repositioned them To feed you To heal you You never liked being told What to do. Your whole torso spasms Spastic, Every 40 seconds. A machine Forces your lungs to act. Your hands are warm From hemodialysis But don't respond When we each grab one Give it a kiss. We spend the day Brushing your hair Telling stories Singing songs. Praying prayers. You're not there. Hospital staff Are more lovely If less pretty Than on TV. When the time comes They gently walk us From the room Close the curtai...
Comments
Post a Comment