The Hospice Nurse Instructs

The body, when it’s finished,
Knows exactly what to do, and
Will do it with efficiency and grace
If you have the grit and guts to let it.
It knows it doesn’t need to eat or drink.
Even when the mind no longer
Understands, the body’s wisdom
Stays intact and goes about its business.
It simply won’t be thirsty anymore
And will no longer let you give it water.

You’re relieved that you won’t have to
Wonder if you’re forcing fluids
Down your mother’s throat because
She simply will not drink when that day comes.
As you protect her wishes and avoid the thoughts
That seek to make some sense of why it is
You cannot help her in the way she wished for
When she still could speak about such things, you
Remember that the day will come when you will