Jeanette Cheezum’s most recent poem to appear here was Dressed to Kill (January 2014).

Holding On
By Jeanette Cheezum

We glance from the drip of her saline bag to her face.
We barely recognize the once strong woman in charge.
Her breathing is labored and she no longer knows we are there.
We still hang on because we know at any minute she will open
her eyes, get out of bed, and insist on going home.
The reality is … not this time; we are approaching the end.
Too many strokes, but the heart keeps its rhythm.
An empty chair on Christmas day.