The Machine of Life

Published in Poetic Realm, Issue 7, May 1999


woosh-whop

the machine pushes
air through small tubes
into her lungs
I ask myself why am I here
it’s not like she ever cared

no matter what I did or said
forever was I wrong

and still

woosh-whop

I stand and hold her hand
the wonderful, caring granddaughter
no one knows the horrors linked to her
the endless heartaches I remember
the constant punishments I endured

no matter what I did or said
forever was I bad

and still

woosh-whop

I come to watch over
the frail and tired woman.
So many tears and loathsome fears
have numbed my feelings for
in her eyes I wasn’t worthy of love

no matter what I did or said
forever was I unworthy

and still

woosh-whop

I wonder if at last I'm finally
a worthy one and think to myself

probably not