Poetry: Jennifer Lagier

Photo by Mukesh Srivastava

The Circus of Death

by Jennifer Lagier

 

Weekly, the hospice nurse

records mom’s weight loss,

shrinking body mass,

trouble thinking straight,

growing depression.

 

When she complained

she never wanted to be 90,

who knew someone up there

was eavesdropping,

would grant mom’s request.

 

I pay her bills,

balance books,

help with cooking,

yard work,

tax preparation.

 

On good days,

she dresses, puts on lipstick,

works crossword puzzles

while sipping hot tea

through a straw

at the kitchen table.

 

More often,

she sleeps late,

barely eats.

Sometimes

never changes

out of pajamas.