At day's end
Many years since it's been
Just us
Wives, husbands, kids
Usually
Take their place around the table
But not tonight
Not at the end of this day
Nor at the end of that day
Both days
Breathing has been labored
And we gather
Because breath and life have been a struggle
In & out
Out & in
Labored & heavy
It is just the siblings here now
Children grown enough
To leave the adults
At the table
No in-laws either
They are busy taking care of other things
Just us
Gathered at the table
At the end of the waiting day
The miles apart
Have lessened
The tubes
The struggling of breath
The need for cheering one another's hearts
That comes by being in this loss
Together
Together
Around the table
Where we fought about whose turn it
Was to do the dishes
And we teased and scolded
And ate many meals
Siblings only
Just like the days of old
Except now
The battle is for life and breath
We wish it wasn't the suffering
That brought us here
Yet, we are
Together again as
Siblings round the table
At days end
* * *
Linking with Emily at Imperfect Prose.
