Coronavirus and the End of Visiting Hours

My dear Giraffe

My husband does not come here anymore

I don’t recognize the paper faces that hover and are then gone

It is only me and you

My dear Giraffe

Do you remember when I gave you form?

Stitch by stitch when I could work these useless hands

I cannot hold you

Anymore

My dear Giraffe

My daughter does not come

To sing to me

Anymore

I don’t know who I have become

Am I anyone?

My dear Giraffe

Do you remember

When I placed your heart inside you?

My own is now undone

Same as your torn seams

My dear Giraffe

My son does not come

To read to me anymore

I have lost the words

To offer anyone

My dear Giraffe

We wait out these lingering days

Strangers wash my hands

With cool water

Smooth my hair

With a brush that could be mine

My dear Giraffe

The hallways are quiet

Like deserted streets in the middle of the night

I will never walk again

Along them

 My dear Giraffe

We lay alone

Just me and you

Disintegrating like shadows in the dark

And old books

Unopened and forgotten

My dear Giraffe

Stay with me

Until I am gone