The day's duties included
a doctor visit
a specialist it must be admitted
& not the first visit
nearly dressed
I entered your room
where in even sleep you
battle the sunlight
but on this occasion
you had the upper hand
& had settled into
a portraitist's dream
I would have drawn you myself
but for symptoms & setbacks
of petty physiology
& the waiting sunlight
when I measured solace
against your smooth lines
beneath the sheet
& a slowly moving fan
whispering its short
comforting phrase
lifting a dark carl
now & then
not self-conscious
& thinking of nothing more
than circling above you
curative & wise
7 September 2011