Reconciliation

• Grace Walker, Grade 10
• Poetry
• 2012

It’s as if time has decelerated for us to be with his last breaths of life,
We gather around his bed, all ten of us.
We speak petite and quiet,
Bring on the waterworks for us all,
The tissue box, hollow as anything,
Second option… Sleeves.

Hydrangeas, our heroes, saving us from the hideous stench of hospital
And improving the gloom.
Mama waits for him to join her in the afterlife with love,
A pleasant place receives him and he receives a pleasant place.

We pass on our love and share a hug,
He’s used up all of the egg timer, effectively and to its full value.
The big box like machine declares triumph.

I rest the Hydrangeas gently on his chest,
These will steady the pain; these will remind you of living,
These will remind you of us.