for Emily
She’s learning what it’s like to be old by watching them slowly die.
There is rhythm to their days: they are moved and propped up. They are wiped and changed. There is some small breakfast, lunch, rest, tea and supper. An ‘after’ follows where a little chocolate is given.
They are folded down and changed to rest until tomorrow.
It is sleepy and quiet. She is often bored; the boredom is tolerable and visitors come to beat it back.
What is not tolerable is the truth of it. She watches, waiting. In time, she hopes to just drop down dead.
👏👏👏♥️