Valour In The Early Years Of The 21st Centurypart Three Poem by GORDON GILHULY

stained ball cap
wear-faded sweatshirt and jeans
scuffed sneakers a thin work coat
he rises as she
is wheel-chaired back to him
from the chemotherapy suite and
gently lovingly kisses the
tears from her cheeks

he kneels takes her legs
in work blasted hands
and with room filling tenderness
makes her comfortable in her
mobile prison

standing again, his long full kiss
on her lips says you are
beautiful I love you
his caress of her shorn head
says I know


he stands behind the chair knotting
her brave pink do-rag
then hands clenching the handles
wheels her away
his eyes momentary rivers