the emergency room

the emergency room
is full
of the elderly who have fallen.
bumps
on their heads,
blood in their eyes.
weakened
by lack of food
and drink,
sleep. tired of
fighting over the temperature
in the house
with an ogre
husband, or wife.
they lie on the sterile
cot
waiting for sons
and daughters to arrive,
telling them,
it's okay,
you just fell again,
no worries, everything
will be alright.
they like the attention
though.
the flowers that arrive,
the notes
and cards, the phone calls.
they wonder why
they don't fall more often.
love
seems to come more easily
when you're
injured or about to die.