99 +

Today, I met an old lady.

To say old

Is no exaggeration

she is one year off 100.

 

She was lying in bed,

in blue and white

hospital gown,

crumpled,

her skin soft,

fingers delicate –

shaped into a century-old pattern.

 

She struggled to hear

or perhaps better

Understand

What I was saying.

 

She looked across at my colleague,

at the end of her bed;

‘doctor’

Her awareness intact.