Acceptance


In labored breath and pain;
I close my eyes before God closes them.
Thoughts rush to and from defining moments;
the stages of acceptance
and uncertainty
that marked my journey. I’m not ready though the decision has been made.

In labored breath and pain;
my body has failed me
and I close my eyes.
I could cry wasted tears,
beg to deaf ears;
but the decision has been made. There is nothing that can be done.
I can hear the tormenting beep of the monitor;
I hear it just waiting to alert the world of my last labored breath.

There are no secrets in death;
only the mask that I wear to shield love ones from my labored breath.
So much pain coursing through nearly every part of me. I close my eyes with the intent of never seeing another tear fall.

Labored breath and pain;
by design, has taken hope from my prayers. Now I simply wish for this to end.
Instinctively I fight.
My feeble hands grip the sheets
as the excruciating pain shoots through my veins.
I’m reminded of where I’ve been
and what is left in life. I close my eyes.