The night he was nearly saved
He shook my hand.
Not a hug or a pat on the back
Like Fathers and Sons
All over the world;
But a handshake,
Business-like and sterile.
I might not see him again,
The surgeons might fail
And yet he shook my hand
To hold me at arms length
As always.
As we waited in silence
For the ambulance car,
It was alarming in that moment
For me to finally see
With tear-rimmed eyes
That we were strangers.
God give me strength
If I ever have a son,
That I shall not shower on him
Such cold comfort,
Such hollow-hearted love.
