Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
I have five years, he said,
Not long after greeting us at the door.
He recites this as an axiom:
Sun shines, birds fly, the tiresome lot.
Strong hands, wiry legs, he flies from the chair.
This is not the face of death I dreamt
Written in a man's face and stoop.
I see him leading every procession of
Canes and walkers
Gathered for a meal.
Do you feel your needs fulfilled, we ask.
Though what we really mean is,
What do you even need?
I walk for my groceries, he said.
Sometimes I stop by the senior center
Not very often.
I don't think it's for me.
What about the rug, I ask.
He brushes over my fear of those tassels
Streaming across that hardwood floor,
Speaking of Tibetan mystics and patterns.
We interrupt:
What made you decide to come here?
I have five years, he repeated.
I have some sum of money
And I hope to die with
None left in the bank.
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Chou, W.H. The Old Man. J Med Humanit 41, 615–616 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10912-020-09659-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10912-020-09659-x