Day 10

Metronome

9:15am uncertain death
no medical training
the daughter phoned hospice
they had no nurse available

she wiped away the feces
combed her hair
folded her arms
rosary cast across her hand

sisters and grandkids arrive
her grandaughter lit candles
then sat bedside reading
her toes scrunched the carpet

the siblings leave
the body still waiting
no places to go
no people to see

the funeral parlor aides comes at 7pm
wheeling in the guerney
ceremoniously unfolding the quilt
as if to drape an altar

they remove the cold body from the bed
placed atop the wrap
and wheel her out
the daughter climbs into her blue chair and sleeps