No one plans to die, rich or poor,

cooling on a hospital's cold floor.

After a lifetime of childhood,

sister, motherhood,

I deserved a more dignified adieu.

Even though doctors with heartbeats knew

my heart would stop, but still

from ward to ward, they shuttled me

until Death came to my rescue.

Bury me in that soiled white sheet. Indignity

I leave behind as the doctor's fee.

21.1.17