Spoon feeding

For my wife Lis 1948-2021

by Tom Bryan

Spoon feeding is a sacred act,
like healing or washing of the feet.
Open? Open wider? That’s it! Please?

You swallow slowly,
the way ancient tortoises eat,
your brown eyes fixing on me,
like a child’s at the breast..

I try not to think what might come next:
(nutrition by nose tubes or stomach pegs?)

You clench your lips,
shake your head No, no more...
(not just food
but no more of anything...
no more of this...)

I put the spoon down
ending our vital dance,
your lowered eyes open
to intimate loneliness.