Home Now

‘You’re home now. It will be all right’

she said, helping him up the stairs.

He seemed to have shrunk, and yet grown heavier.

He stank of hospitals and fear and death.

She chatted cheerfully

whilst helping him drink his tea,

gossiped about the neighbours 

as she washed him.

Nothing stirred when she

ran the warm sponge 

over his groin.

‘Now try and sleep’.

She kissed his forehead

and passed her hand over his eyes

like they do in the movies

when someone is dead.

Behind the door she began to shake,

dropped the cup,

watched helplessly 

as it shattered on the floor.