78/ Overheard At Night
A
single loud cry, not a word, male certainly, ending abruptly
meant
for no one but also for each one of
us:
not
for help, rather more a cry to share some information,
This
is who I am and where I am; alone with my pain.
The
night is shocked to a taut wakefulness
Alert
for the next communication.
Not
long after, a night nurse comes swiftly, calming nerves, soothing
Offering
cups of tea or glasses of water, professional
Would you like anything else?
No,
thank you, a cup of hot water will be fine.
I
could howl in response, animal to animal,
but
my cry would not be understood.
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| © Mary Brady in Offally |
