Pantum

Mom quit eating,
Stopped opening her mouth for the spoon.
She's forgotten how to suck through a straw.
Her tongue is dry like beach sand.

Stopped opening her mouth for the spoon.
Should we tilt her head and pour food in?
Her tongue is dry like beach sand.
The air is taking over.

Should we tilt her head and pour food in?
Seems more like rape than nurture.
The air is taking over.
What's inside is the same as what's outside.

Seems more like rape than nurture
Forcing pureed fruits and vegetables in.
What's inside is the same as what's outside.
She's becoming one with the dust motes floating,
old hymns she has always sung.

Forcing pureed fruits, vegetables in
We rob her of the only power she has left.
She's becoming one with the dust motes floating,
old hymns she has always sung.

Let her go.
Like a melody on the sunbeams
that pave a highway through the window.
Let her go with the next refreshing breeze.