Fog and Ice

She dreams of how it will be

when she is old and he,

not much younger

will decide she is no longer of use

to herself or others

and consign her to the home

away from home

The home where old men and women

locked in rooms at night

are left alone

to face the silence

and unanswered questions

What was it for?

How could it have been different?

Who am I?

She fantasizes a different outcome

one based on legends

movie scenarios

where the old are set on ice floes

no food or water

left to drift

to die alone

Without drugs

without machines

without somber-faced relatives petting hands

and wiping away the spittle

Without their unspoken prayer

“God, let her get on with this

So we can get home and get some sleep.”