Calling to Her

Last Sunday we thought she'd die overnight

But she proved us gratefully wrong

And carried on

Found some more fight

And showed just how strong

She was and wants to be

Even lying there with freezing hands

And constant, insistent hospital beeps

Unable to stand

Unable to eat

Iron grip never slacked

Though we never lacked

A fear for the next time

We would be back

And what we'd find

Behind those eyes

If anything

Improved from last week

Shuffling again and starting to eat

Rushing recovery

Thoughts of home directing her feet

And conversation returning

Around struggles with speech

Recognising us quicker

Toothless grin bigger

But the healthier she gets

The more we see the flickers

Between this world and the next

And she says hello to the grandad

I never met

Perhaps its dementia

Perhaps its the meds

Or dehydration

Or heart failure, or infection

Showing her memories in the reflections

At the end of the bed

Or maybe it's bigger

Than all those combined

And if we saw through her eyes

Maybe we'd find that the barrier's thinning

Between Heaven and Earth

And he's really there calling to her

Soon to be his again, not mine

And I begin to realise

What I'm getting back isn't Nans

But the feeling she's not long for this life