Today I met with the people from Hospice on advice of my doctor. I live alone and will probably require their facility shortly as I further deteriorate  




Hospice

 

 

 

They are young and charming

Pleasant and caring

A procession of Practitioners 

To aid in my dying 

 

They bring the treasure 

Of comforting drugs 

Not to cure but to calm

As death takes its hold

 

They offer a place

Of rest and care

A room and attendants

All wishes fulfilled 

 

The promise of MAID

Should I choose that course

The promise of coma

Should I choose God’s time

 

Breathing is difficult 

The cough increasing

Fatigue is a constant 

Energy a memory

 

The lure of these offers

Is tangibly strong

Yet my choice remains firm

To stay conscious... aware

 

I believe that dying is part of life

To drug it away is to miss the point

Aware till the last incredible second 

Serves me well the end of one great adventure 

 

The pain and struggle of wrenching body from soul

I must fully sense as a pathway to rest

The yin to the yang of a life lived full

Of sunset's rhapsodies and maelstrom's terrors

 

I will die in the knowledge of God’s own time

Conscious of my family and friends

My last breath a smile

A new adventure begins 

 





Poetry by josephus The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 202 times
Written on 2023-12-07 at 16:36

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alarian The PoetBay support member heart!
moving
2024-04-06


ken d williams The PoetBay support member heart!
As long as you are read
Dyeing and death is merely
A detail after all
GNU, as of yet not requied!
Thinking out to you, Jo.
Ken D.
2024-01-03


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
A fine, sober poem written by a brave man. You've done well, Joe.
2023-12-08


D G Moody The PoetBay support member heart!
Can I also add my appreciation, both of this fine poem and what it tells us about you as a person. And along with your other poet companions here, I wish you a fine day and a good breeze aft, when you cross the bar.

God speed you on Josephus.

Dougie
2023-12-08


Uncle Meridian The PoetBay support member heart!
Joseph, wow. I honour your words and I honour your journey. Be assured of my most ardent prayers. Thank you for your consistent kindness here at poetbay. You have brightened many a moment by your poems and comments. I hope I don't sound prematurely eulogistic, but thank you, thank you, thank you.
2023-12-08


Sameen The PoetBay support member heart!
This really is a truly, truly beautiful poem. There is great strength in your words. I feel honored to have read them.
2023-12-08


jim The PoetBay support member heart!
This is beautiful.

I wish for you a peaceful transition as you begin your new adventure.

Godspeed, my friend ~~~
2023-12-08


Alan J Ripley The PoetBay support member heart!
I don't think I could have put into words,
Quite eloquently as you have done yourself.
Thanks for sharing.
Regards Alan
2023-12-07


Griffonner The PoetBay support member heart!
Your fortitude is a lesson for us all, Josephus. I send you positive thoughts for you to navigate the ending of one adventure as you yourself desire. The energy of the prime creator is unconditional love - it beautifies everything.
Blessings and love, Allen
2023-12-07


Sona The PoetBay support member heart!
oh! so beautiful and true. Thanks for holding our hands- ths poem is more like that- that by sharing, you are also showing me the light. Thank you for this one.
2023-12-07