The best place

The hospital was the best  place   for you to die.
Nurses, neat as sparrows, ran to and fro
Blankets used in the Himalayas warmed you
They kept you
Clean and tidy.

For three hours
The Sacred and the Profane intersected
I sang you away on a river of music
And you  floated out of  our world
Hearing my childlike  high voice.

Maybe you thought I was washing up
Or making you a drink in the kitchen;
And I was your mother as well.
The good mother who kept her premature child alive
Who kept a good larder
Baked bread and  played games with   you and your Dad.

Did you know what was happening?
I think you did and  you wanted me to help you.
Help you out?
How a  little audience had gathered.
Now we have  no rites,the chaplain was absent
Absent too the priest.

I had to make it up…. like a game,but it was real.
You smiled and winked as if to say
I’m sticking around but you won’t see me.
So much love in  your eyes…
What can I do but be glad?
And be sad….but we made it.