he said goodbye, you hobbled out,

the doctor shut the door.

from your face i knew he’d told you

things we had guessed before.

i saw you slightly tremble

but i reached you ere you fell.

your fixèd face said many things

more than you cared to tell.

one does not receive death warrants

as one would a courtesy.

after awhile your head went up

and you talked it all out with me.

brave little woman i knew you

knew you were never afraid.

not for yourself, you forbid me—

to speak and my questions you staid.

all i could give was silence.

your pride forbade me much.

tho’ i longed to bear your burden

even to be your crutch.