SICK BAY: "Knowing time"

I shall go to the hospital alone
sign the papers and then lapse
into unconsciousness. It shall be
dark in there, but I know
I will be happy.

When I have regained consciousness
I shall ask the nurse for the exact hour
and she will tell me.

There shall be no visitors for me.
Just the in-mates I shall come to know
as colleagues in the other beds.
Someone may come and say a prayer
to a bed or two next to mine
and a stranger will drop
a flower
at the foot of my bed.

The doctor will come and say:
"You won't make it, Paps."
And I'll say: "I know. It's time."

From KWAMRA: a season of harvest