She waits.
Time goes by
Each day becomes worse
Stay strong
Every day more painful than the last
Disease takes over her body
Contaminates her warm, open heart

She waits.
Patiently
Silent agony
Sleeping on the bathroom floor
Goodbye curly locks of chestnut hair
Bandannas cover what is left of her

She waits.
Still smiles as she says hello
Her children challenge what comes next
No rush.

She waits.
Lives each day like the last
Confined to hospital beds,
Bare walls
“No visitors”
She wants to be remembered- not like this
Shriveled up,
Soul dim
Her light burns out
I will never forget how long she waited,
To see my face, and smile

No life remains
Tears stream down
Shock paralyzes me
My heart has never skipped so many beats

I miss her.
More than I have ever missed anyone
I will love her,
Always
My auntie.
Now she waits in a better place.

She waits for me.
I know she does.
She is my guardian angel.