Rose: Three Poems

Geoffrey Connor

Rose,
They have been chipping away
On your body for years
Now, a hysterectomy
Here, a lung there--
Perhaps your lips will be next.

Remember the times you played 
A poul to the El Plicko
Of some man? Ah, those were
The good days,
But I saw you at home
Last night with your dog,
Old and cuddled against your side.
Your drink was just a stain
On the rug
And you never knew
I was there.

Rose,
You were lucky
Tonight. I saw the ambulance
Come and go
And your dog came crying
At my door.
Perhaps I will take him
Downtown tomorrow.
Perhaps he will want to stay
At home with me--
Home and away with me.