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Oh Karen

I came awake, upon a ward

In the utility of a hospital bed

Day was dawning as I lay there

Piecing it together in my head.

 

The hum and beeping of monitors

Overlaid the silence of the hour

I saw tubes entering my body

I was helpless, overpowered

 

I sensed  others around me sleeping

As I began to consider my plight

Wondering at the outcomes

And what was out of sight

 

Beyond the curtain, her voice cut the silence

And my soul leapt with joy and took flight

The Gods arranged a marvellous coincidence

To signal all would be right

 

Down the years I had known her

A nurse, a cherished family friend

Always bubbling with life and humour

On that you could always depend

 

Since that day we often would promise

We’d meet up and share some time

But we didn’t, then she eventually confessed

Being cursed with the same deadly signs

 

And now she’s gone, it seems so wrong

I’d leap to take her place

Haunted by her memory

Her zest, her smile, her grace.

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