helpless

helpless

lying silent in the hospital bed counting every heartbeat
covered in thin winding sheets and the many scars of life
hero or coward filled in dread wait the circle to complete
as the roars have become bleats living has become strife
pressures wax and wane still all measured in increments
hiss of snakes draped about continue taking and receiving
slight shivers betraying the chill escaping the instruments
as skins have shed all doubt minds no longer conceiving
battles fought lost won or drawn fade into that forgotten
loves and lusts are past sated memories tingle in the loins
the raging storms become a calm in dreams misbegotten
payments past due are slated and paid in bitter silver coins
now helpless in death’s final face as the temperature rises
swaddled in ice forever abased as endless eternity entices