He came in an ambulance,
the man was old so the stretcher took it easy.
The hands on duty jumped into action like men in death's embassy.
His face was cloudy, not a perfect frame to cheat death.
But it was not our duty to read these signs.
For as we raised him onto the white bed he smiled through the pain.
Then his son whispered,
"Doc, he has always wanted to be here,"
But the old man's peace did not agree with his breath,
for in his breath was that noise of a fight with death.
so we called on our art and invoked medical science,
but even the heavenly bodies knew we didn't have his 'yes'.
For although we urged him to ascend his Everest,
his equipment of flesh was already packed for the journey home.
And though all looked cloudy this man was smiling,
Though his heart was weak,
And has failed all tests and we have gathered to help him cheat.
This man turned down the offer and enjoyed the heat.
even oxygen was shocked so repeatedly he gasped for air.
Yet to none was it clear,
why this old man refused to cheat Death.
So syringe after syringe we pumped in liquid motivation,
Pipes were everywhere infusing the will to live.
Death kept pulling but the man kept smiling through clenched teeth.
We needed more hands so death would not win, but this man would not join.
So we fought alone.
And while we fought my mind jotted.
His laundered clothes smelt fresh and his body was newly washed,
but this man wasn't clean.
His colour will embarrass black; the color of an old wind vane.
Clearly, he has been a stump that was used to wedge life,
like a flag that has spent its life outside enduring strife.
He was ready to go so he watched as he convulsed,
as we worked to loosened the noose Death kept retyping.
His was not a fight with death but a negotiation.
not for more days but for a few hours to enjoy,
the clean sheets and the scent of these Lab-coats,
the perfume of their effort and the smell of disinfectants.
A thing the son must have understood,
because when we asked for a history,
he smiled humbly and kept repeating,
"He has always wanted to die here.
Doc, he has always wanted to die in a hospital. "
© Abanni Samson
+2341069611
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