My Last Patient

Deb died of Lou Gehrig's disease age 37

Deb.........Deb.......Deb!
Are you there?

She laid among stillness
Her breath barely a dream
Her husband and children
waiting for her fall among tall redwoods
in an ancient ritual of Lou Gehrig's disease.

Her husband a tower of strength
in metaphorical and literal ways
He showed me the ice cream wedding
That they found together on that blessed day.

When two little girls gave me their grin
I wanted to take her place among the dead
So she could love the little ones.
I cared and cared for her everyday
but nothing could I do in a miraculous way.

She cease to breathe on a morning in Autumn
Like leaves from the trees she fell from the altar.
With a sorrow painted across the season's sky
I gave my poem to a family a stranger could love.

Reviews

[Alfred Kukitz]

Many of you have come hear with gracious, brave hearts. Bless you all for viewing my sadness!

[Tree]

A terrible disease. But you look past that deep into the soul of Deb, the soul of the family she left behind. My feeling is that you were much more to your patients that just a nurse & caregiver, but a source of compassion, and spiritual strength.


Diego

[Alfred Kukitz]

Thanks for visiting............Look forward to reading more of your work.

[Briana O'Connor]

This was a beautiful expression of such a sad tale. I could feel the pain and clearly see the scene. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt piece with us.

[Alfred Kukitz]

Thanks Sami! What a way to go out! Probably my saddest reality in nursing.

[Sami Khalil]

A sad reality Alfred and one which tears us up within and tears us endlessly. A wondrous tribute even after the fact of death. :).....

[Alfred Kukitz]

Thank you Ladies for visiting and sharing my sadness. Today, 4 years ago was my last working day.

[Anahat]

Tears filled up my eyes reading this...A heart melting piece..

[Frieda P]

God you made me cry Alfred. Such a touching tribute to a brave soul.

[Alfred Kukitz]

I cried through the whole damn writing.