Hospital Garden

We spent her penultimate day
In the hospital garden
With the remote control nightingale
You got her and
When I asked her why she was crying
She said
Christmas 1982 will give me
The courage I need

Once again
I could not bring myself to say
I’m so sorry this happened to you momma

Her slow expensive
American death
Gave me wrinkles
Stole some years
And turned me into an animal
That night
You saw me
Crying by the fire
When I told you
I’m not sad
I’m just glad it’s over