Is This Your Time?

[Guest]

[Pater]

Outside A & E waiting for a taxi.
Homebound at six-thirty,
in the morning. I felt a sense
of mourning.

There is nothing to say, sitting on a bollard
and smoking a roll-up; no-one to speak to.
Longest day of the year is here,
and all I feel is fear. For you.

To ride willingly with you, just to be there,
know your pain, think with my head bowed
on your long-lived history; hold your hand
and stroke your grey hair; this stays with me.

Whatever may be I will always love you.
My leap of faith when the morphine
took away your agony worries me,
sat here; as if I had sensed a future crowd
around you. You would live on till the time.

My taxi is here and I must leave you;
I know I kissed your forehead earlier,
held your hand again while you slept,
for the pain had been denied.
I will be back, how I hope you survive.

by Pater