I wonder where your sons are you are talking of so fondly.

What happened or what could be so important that they’ve been unable to be here.

Or grandchildren? With 3 sons there’s surely grandchildren.

I understand that families don’t always get on.

They become estranged.

But surely there’s someone.

Someone with a few hours for you.

You are alone.

I can’t help thinking you shouldn’t be.

I know you shouldn’t be.

Alone.

You’re with a care worker, you’ve been chatting the whole time you’ve been here. You’re learning about her life, she is quite happy to answer your questions. You are telling her about the life you have lived, about meeting your wife and about your sons.

She brings you water and makes you a cup of tea.

You have just met, it’s obvious by the conversation.

I can’t help wondering if they know you’re here.

If someone has rung them so they can be here with you.

It’s difficult not to overhear. What the doctors say.

I think you should probably be in a private room ’cause the curtains that surround you are not sound proof.

As they talk to you I can feel it.

My heart.

It’s breaking a little.

For a stranger.

I can’t help thinking.

You shouldn’t be alone.

I want to leave the room but there’s no where for me to go.

Whilst they tell you they’ll try this last time.

But it probably won’t work.

That they’ll try this last time

But the tumour is likely to grow.

That they’ll try this last time.

But eventually you’ll be paralysed.

That they’ll try this last time.

As you ask them what that means, how long you might have.

I can’t help but cry for you.

A stranger

As I wonder where your family is.

Why you’re hearing this news with a care worker you’ve just met

My heart breaks for you

A stranger.

Who shouldn’t be alone.