The year of the Tiger, and he lies bedridden
Eating through a tube, breathing through coughs
One moment he is with us, the next his thoughts drift away
Who's to say he comprehends his situation?
Outside the room, his wife and children gather
They discuss, with heavy heart, such details as
What song; what eulogy; what epitaph to use
They speak not with precaution, but with certainty
Knowing that the time must come soon
Away from them, his grandchildren sit
One amongst them listens in silence
Listening as they discuss the painfully inevitable
Someone cracks a joke; they laugh;
Relishing this chance to distract themselves
From the harsh reality they face
One remains silent
He wonders if his two younger brothers
See what he can see
He wonders if the old man in the bed
Hears what he can hear
Do they want to see? Does he want to hear?
