You are opening the chart of John Smith
who is deceased – time of death
All too sudden
You were alive, sick, but alive
Just a week ago, before your
heart and lung sounds were absent
before your neck and chest were swollen
inflamed by a hope turned necrotic
Only three days ago did your body truly revolt
with organ dysfunction
multiplying as quickly as the distressing
abatement of your respirations
your soul unsure of its direction
your goals of care a perilous discussion
Last night, a family meeting shuddered
at the sight of your poor status
unable to function knowing that
the idea of remission had long
expired in the hospital
a wilted root pronounced dead
nearly at arrival
Now, without response to light
You laid still – reflexes absent
Unable to flinch when your daughter
buried herself in your unresponsive
arms, unsure if the decision to
transition to comfort measures only
brought any real ease to your
family at bedside
or if it was merely a way to
cope with your eyes
fixed and dilated
which had long lost their will to live.
