Saturday, December 19, 2020

NO WORDS

 The hospice nurse and I went out to admit, “Irene”, to hospice.  Irene, sixty years old, was diagnosed years ago with cancer.  She had been doing fine until two months ago when she was told her cancer has spread.  Irene lives with her husband and two adult daughters.  Her family is so devoted and loving to her. 

In these past two months, with her cancer spreading, Irene was slowly becoming a bit weaker and needing more help.  All that dramatically changed yesterday when she could no longer walk as was so weak.  She no longer can say any words as does not have the energy.  Since yesterday, she is eating very little and sleeping so much more. 

It was amazing to me how beautifully Irene was able to communicate with her eyes, without saying a word.  So often we can miss how much people do talk with their eyes, as we get focused on their spoken words.  

I felt I connected with Irene, even though she did not say one word to me or to anyone.  She had the most beautiful eyes which glowed with expression.  She appeared to have totally accepted what is, but so wanted to know more about it.  I hope I was able to give her, at least, a small bit of what she so needed. 


NO WORDS 

Two months ago, her cancer spread.

It metastasized to her right lung and brain.

She has been in a slow decline since then,

but yesterday, quite abruptly, all has changed.

 

She is now so weak, she cannot walk.

She is either resting in her recliner or lying down.

Her energy is completely gone;

         no strength left to even speak.

 

She so respects her Asian culture.

She accepts their beliefs with undo grace.

She wants to learn; she wants to know

as her eyes strongly articulate her inner feelings.

 

Her eyes focused so steadily on me

as I was explaining hospice support.

Her family attempted to answer for her.

It was solely for her that they wanted to please.

 

The depth of her eyes wanted to know,

 but so sadly she could not say.

I saw love; I saw strength; I saw uncertainty

while no words were spoken at all,

but in her beautiful, sparkling, expressive

         brown eyes.

 


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