Pawpaw

He sings to me. And I sing back.

“I love you a bustle and a peck.”

“You bet your pretty neck I do!”

I was a child then. I grew up quickly.

“I love you a bustle and a peck.”

The slow and steady heart monitor beeping. The only sound.

I was a child then. I grew up quickly.

Clear tubes pump oxygen in his nose.

The slow and steady heart monitor beeping. The only sound.

“Do da loo daa loo do-do”

Clear tubes pump oxygen in his nose.

My stomach flipping. I hold on to his warm paw.

“Do da loo daa loo do-do”

Blank blue eyes half open look at me.

Two drains on each side, zigzagged with stitches on a shaved head.

“I love you a bustle and a peck.”

A sparkle of recognition returns to those eyes.

“You bet your pretty neck I do!”

“I love you a bustle and a peck.”

I sing to him. And he sings back.