covers folded neatly across
her chest white hair smooth & splayed
against her pillow
her hands quiet & folded
across her heaving chest
eyes shifting behind her lids
the hint of a flinch as I
inject her with morphine
tell me she is there aware
i take her cold hand fold it
into both of mine lean in
to coo into her ear say
peace will soon override
her torment breath come easily
the whisper of movement
in her frail fingers
tells me she hears believes
her body descends into
the arms of Morpheus
silently calling back
to me that she is safe
i stroke her hair kiss her cheek
await her next soundless plea
