the ward
By Mark Burrow
- 1880 reads
thin tubes pipe oxygen
up into your father’s nostrils
five other men lie in their beds
coughing, groaning, snoring
you hold a dessert cup steady
for your father to push a spoon
scooping out the biscuit base
“that’s tasty,” he says
you grab tissues from the table
& wipe crumbs from his gown
expecting him to palm you away
but he’s different now, your father
he actually lets you help him
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Comments
You have found something of a
You have found something of a niche with these stripped-back tales, Mark. For so few words, the images are vivid and the story profound. Very nicely done. Paul
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yeh, shaved my dad before he
yeh, shaved my dad before he died. One of the few times we touched.
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This is our Twitter and
This is our Twitter and Facebook Pick of the Day. Please share and retweet!
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this is wonderful - a
this is wonderful - a poignant moment ringing true with many of us. Well done Mark and congratulations on the well deserved golden cherries. It doesn't have to be cheerful, it has to be good and this one is
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It is a wonderful poece, Mark
It is a wonderful poece, Mark. This conjured up memories of a brother in a similar situation that haunts me to this day. Very good, indeed.
Rich
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It's very sweet and poignant.
It's very sweet and poignant. A time when pride can get broken and a relief to just accept and appreciate and connect. Well shown! Rhianon
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Perfectly captures the
Perfectly captures the emotions of the moment of a change of roles.
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