Pele is on palliative care
The end is coming soon
The end of life approaches
But this is not a doom
An announcer says ‘prepare for the worst’
As if death is a surprise
But death is not a final curse
For from the grave we rise
At the bus stop yesterday
We talked of dying days
Of ICU and nursing
And of managing our ways
How lovely to die at home
If this can be the case
And if not let us be at peace
And look Christ in the face
A wise old priest once said to me
Many years ago
We must help one another to live
And also to let go
Helping people on their way
By being at their side
And holding hands so vital
Till they reach the other side
My grandmother stretched out her arms
As they clothed her in her shroud
She knew her days were ended
Her children were so proud
Such a mother she had been
Widowed for so long
She went to God so peacefully
And still we sing her song
Brian Fahy
3 December 2022
Erris Poetry 