Ways to Say Goodbye

Photograph by Reka Jellema. 24 October 2014. Untitled.

For Ted and Norma
For Dirk and Gus

Ways to Say Goodbye
(Part 1)

I
It`s 4am my darling, I
have waited for your sleep
To say goodbye

The nurse has vowed
to care for you
That one with braided hair
and honesty

residing in
deep pools behind
her eyes

You`ll not discern
just where I`ve gone
in the muddle
of your mixed up mind

Not sure myself
where I`m going,
Only know

the longing
and the love
will be staying

II
The time
is always 4am -
the dying.

Where is our place
in this undertaking?

We have known
bedsides

Our sister
clasps your wrists
and swabs the cobwebs
from your throat

These ungodly mornings:
The dying
They wait until Christmas
to disperse

III
A brother leaves us
huddled at the foot
Auntie speaks in tongues
over the bed
I hiss at her
until she turns to tea
Little one
you saw a man
with wings
he sat with you
and counted beads
on your rosary
only
Our Father
could bear
the end


Written with Kathryn Ross
Copyright Reka Jellema & Kathryn Ross
25 October 2014