regret

old man
you should
not be standing
next to her
crumpled and
grey with grief.
we have done
this to you,
to her.
brought you
here and
made you
watch
the carnival
show that
was her
grotesque
last.
you should
be at home
now,
holding her
hand
wiping her
brow.
allowed to
say
in your own
good time
in your own
good way:
i love you,
my darling,
goodbye.
instead
the automatic
hum and click
of machines
will decide
a doctor's
pen will
pronounce
that which
should
have never
been.

--to Mr. C and his wife, for whom the end should have been much different.