I share a room in the geriatric ward
With another who can speak
A language everyone understands.
I feel my body shrink
My mind grow in anticipation of a visit
I try to hold
Try to keep
Try to have you listen
To all the words I have in me.
Words that tell you that no one comes
Not even when it hurts
And tears sting my eyes.
This is the geriatric ward
And doors are never meant to open
Until someone else decides
It’s safe to leave.
I have become an old book
Frail, torn
And read no more.
