Poetry by Charlie Gould

A TOUCH AND A PRAYER

Her body is betraying her,
Her eyes have told me since
I see her lying on the couch,
And trying not to wince.

I listen to her breathing, and
Remembering to count,
Mark breaths as seconds of her life,
And hope she can surmount

The pain that's roaring through her now,
And causing my chagrin.
I only pray the morphine works,
And calms her once again.

I'm the observer to the path
She's traveling right now,
If I could end this, man! I would ....
But I have no clue how!

No, I can only sit and pray.
It isn't very much;
Unless you count the healing way,
Of a lover's gentle touch.

--Charlie Gould*

*"Works and plays well with others, and does not eat his young."