That Day

The call came just after breakfast.

‘Right,’ I said, briskly, ‘I’m on my way.’

But first I called Maureen, our friend,

who always said, ‘When that time comes,

if you need me to be there with you, I will.’

I had not expected to need or want her —

her or anyone — but when the time came,

yes I did.  I’ll never know whether she had

any other plans that day. She just came.

I arrived first; it was so close to home.

I was used to popping in and out.

I had time to whisper some messages

just between him and me. I knew he could hear

though his eyes were closed, and I knew

he understood me. Perhaps he would have

even without help — very probably—

but I used direct telepathy, just to make

perfectly certain. (We Reiki Masters have ways.)

‘We’ll find you a private room,’ they said,

and did. When did Maureen arrive? About then.

Hard to remember that detail exactly, and of course

it doesn’t really matter. She arrived, kissed him

(did she? I think she did) and sat down

in the chair on the other side of the bed.

We were both calm in our demeanour.

We talked in low voices, to and about him.
I held his hand.…  And so that long, quiet day began.

31 Poems in 31 Days (Poewar / Writer's Resource Center). Prompt: Write about a real moment in your life without discussing its larger meaning.

Also submitted for Poets United's Midweek Motif: One Day in the Life of