I wrote this about the last 15 days of my brother Scott's life. I was telling a friend this story and she told me I should write about it. So I sat down at my desk and this is what came about.
one---my phone rings
and I hear a voice tell me my brother is in the hospital.
two---i walk into a room and see a man.
My brother?
AIDS is clearly in the area he has that striking look they all seem
to have.
three---the nurses come and go.
The strong man who is my brother takes whatever they bring him.
four---days later. I'm there again.
He is handing my mother money to make his car payment.
I must me in the wrong place.
five---
six---
seven----It's evening I'm with him again.
I hold his hand, he squeezes back.
I sit and talk and ask him why.
He is without words.
eight---It's late again.
the phone has rung and called me to his side.
nine---I'm the first one there.
I look into his doctors eyes. I am seeking reassurance
his deep dark brown eyes fill with tears.
ten---
eleven---
twelve---No words are spoken. I know it is time.
morning comes
the sun rises
shifts change
more people are with me now.
thirteen---The last breaths are smoothe and gentle
deceitfully life giving.
fourteen---weeks pass, grieving, laughing, crying and healing
we gather at my mother's house
I hear great stories of his strength
fifteen---My heart is filled.
the day has arrived - hundreds of people gather
music - stories -
laughs - tears
someone hands me photos
and for a moment the divine is with me.
