towards some end

in his illness

towards some end, 

he became

a nicer person

to be with.

no longer the lion

in the room,

he purred

and asked kindly,

could you pour me

a cup of tea,

or be a gentleman

and lower or turn

off the tv.

it was, can you get the light

for me,

please, and my

glasses.

so kind of you to drop

by. he'd say

with a gentile smile,

but then hesitate, 

with

blood in his eyes,

and ask

so where have you been

before

this disease?