pixels

through a small 

glass screen

we say our last words

sitting in a child's chair

looking through

to a room

that feels so cold

though i am not there

i see a beige cupboard

or maybe it is grey

and the white linen sheets

where she lies

look like folded paper

smiles, fixed onto faces

break when turned away

we talk about nothing and 

i think

is this really all there is

last minute 'i love you's

are exchanged 

they are

cold electrical impulses

emitted as sound

i remember her hugs

warm and strong

she is too frail to smile

or speak

but before the call ends

she lifts a hand

and waves goodbye

i use the phone as a distraction

my plans for the day seem

distant and i wait for

the last hours to 

end.