Standing by her bedside

Life ebbing away

Her chest–rising, falling.

 

Heart slowing down

Holding her hand;

Prayers for peaceful passing.

 

The monitor is beeping

Time stands still;

Her forehead relaxes.

 

Nurses nod their heads;

Gone forever, now.

Imagining her welcome.

 

Gathering my thoughts;

Aching so intense–

How to go on now?

 

Breathe in, breathe out.

Lungs full, lungs empty.

Repeat, repeat, repeat.