The nurses got in the habit of calling
the cute little old man in Room 323,
“Simon says”
“Simon says, I’m dying of thirst”
“Simon says, I didn’t make it to the toilet”
“Simon says, my head’s about to explode”
Ha! Ha! Ha!
One early evening he buzzed the nurse’s station
and groaned into the intercom
“Go see what he has to say,” they laughed
“Ha! Ha! Ha!”
Just inside his room I called out, “Simon?”
“Simon! What’s up?” I asked loudly
“Simon!” I shouted again
“Do you need something?”
There was just enough light outside
to say it was not yet dark
His mouth sagged on the side
of his face I could see
I found the eye on the other side of his face
stuck open wider than usual
riveted on the window
and the trees outside waving
I reached for the call button
to tell the crowd
at the nurses station
that Simon had nothing left to say
Stood silent a moment
Left the conversation open so Simon
could have the last laugh