Hospital ward

From musty folds and sagging springs
the bed a sigh of sickness sings
that echoes through the clammy room
gathering stillness for the tomb.

The open window shimmers rain
that streaks as tears of restless pain
that gather speed and drop and drop
onto the plastic tabletop.

Let darkness come and gather this,
this maudlin scene--unhappiness
lies all around in little lumps
from dying branch to jagged stumps.