I'D FORGOTTEN

A FATHER TALKS TO HIS DEAD SON

I'd forgotten I'd rung
the hospital ward
that many times
about you
my son

and when I saw you
that evening I was
blown away how ill
you were

and I told the nurse
how ill you looked
and how swollen
you were
and how breathless
you sounded

and she said
the doctor is busy
I will pass on
your concerns
when he returns
from A& E

and that's all
she said to me
despite my pointing out
what needed to be done

and I sat with you
and helped you
on the bed
and rested your head
and talked awhile

but you were tired
and were
closing your eyes

and I said:
I'll leave you to rest
and be back tomorrow

but later that evening
they rang from the ward
and said to come quick
as you were in a bad way

three heart attacks
my son and a long wait
listening to your
machine made breath

the next day
came the sudden
out of the blue
neglected sepsis
death.