A Nurses Privilege (exercise 3 - changing serious to comic - humour in poetry workshop)

original

I sit with him because he has no family
No-one should ever have to die alone
I hold his hand, perhaps to comfort me
He searches for his own direction Home

Both wife and children left this world before him
He stayed around for years with loved ones gone
and felt the bars of livings’ harsher prison
in what to him, each day, seemed like an aeon

I met him in his later winter years
He was a kindly, still yet spritely soul
We talked for hours and mixed our laughter, tears
as we became fast friends, as if of old

But now, we’re past all speech and conversation
While here we quietly wait for twilight's dark
I sit in, proxy, as his loved relation
keep watch, while brilliance slowly fades to spark

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Change

I sit with him because he has no teeth.
No-one should ever have to eat alone
that mushed up slop, that cooks to gums bequeath.
He searches for a single lump or bone.

Both sets of molars left this world before him.
He’s hung around for years with fangs long gone
and feels the pains of trying to eat bacon,
in what to him, each day, seems like an aeon.

I met him in his later winter years
with dentures loose, to shrivelled gums frustrate.
He chewed for hours and mixed his meat with beers
and nearly choked, I saved him. S’why we’re mates.

But now, we’re past all friendly conversation,
he quietly sends a look at me that's dark.
It is my fault. I sent the change-of-diet form.
I watch, while brilliant friendship fades to spark.