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Gilberto sings to Cornelia.
By David Milligan-Croft.
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Cornelia is 96-years-old,
With skin like crepe paper.
Her chest rattles like a percolator.
Her lungs have more fluid than oxygen.
Her arms are purple
From where they have drawn blood.
She sings between coughs.
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Gilberto is a nurse
From Sierra Leone;
He loves to sing too.
He has sung in the church choir
Since he was 8-years-old.
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Gilberto pulls up a chair
Beside Cornelia’s bed
And takes her bruised hand in his.
Softly, he begins to sing
Edelweiss to her.
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“Edelweiss, edelweiss,
Every morning you greet me.
Small and white
Clean and bright
You look happy to meet me.”
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His voice is how I imagine
An angel might sing.
Gilberto sings
Until Cornelia’s gurgling stops,
And her gnarled fingers
Go limp.
.
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*Edelweiss by Rodgers & Hammerstein from The Sound of Music.
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για τη δέκατη μούσα μου
David Milligan-Croft
Thereisnocavalry 
My heart is touched.
Thank you, Claudia. Mine is, that you like it.
Beautiful.
Thank you 😊
You’re welcome.
Transcendent. I don’t know why, but the words of Alan Watts jumps to mind when reading your poem: “The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.” Thx for sharing. Genuinely moved.
Wow, what a coincidence! I was only listening to that very same piece by Watts a couple of days ago. Maybe it, (along with the experience), unconsciously inspired the poem. Thanks for your kind words, they are very much appreciated. BW, David.
Each time I visit, I reread this piece. Such a lovely, poignant poem.
Thank you Kelly Louise, that really means a lot.
My pleasure.
👌