Deep in the maze of sterile hallways
machines beep while nurses whisper
and Papa Joe lies still, head resting on his palm
His mind may be frail, but his hand is steadfast
He stirs
reaching over, I put his hand in mine
Veins form peaks in the delicate skin
ridged fingernails, like chipped stone
and brown splotches like spilled ink
Our fingers fit snugly
His warm grasp is tender
Drawing me close on Passover and
bringing me for long walks around the College
on worn paths by red brick halls
A haven of autumn light
His palms slip on the harsh metal bed frame
accustomed
to gripping grainy wood, crisp pages, woven chairs
to splaying behind a cover and spine
to resting, aside the pondering head,
pausing, to dutifully deliver perceptions to a page
With a devoted hand,
abstract thought became sprawling script
Ponderings sculpted into meaning
The mind was a guide, a companion, a purpose
It was the study brimming with books
slowly deteriorating.
Emptied shelves in a haze of dust,
a confused toss of pages,
Maddening, incomprehensible writing
Silent decay.
Ever since,
the lonesome hand
Left adrift, alone, abandoned by sagacity
merely a pen without ink coursing through
standing by the doorway
both hands raise and extend
toward the study
venerating a resilient friendship
with open palms
before the yellow lights dim to black
and he firmly shuts the door
I clutch his hand tighter in mine
a sorry substitute, I think to myself
but he looks up at me, benevolent
I kiss him gently on the forehead
and turn away as the yellow lights dim to black
Grade: 11
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
Billy Collins
I hope that in the future I am continuing to learn and be curious. Maybe I’ll be a writer or a historian. I hope I continue to read and volunteer often. For the world, all I can hope is for continued progress toward a more harmonious and equitable society.
My mom inspires me most because she is fearless, hardworking and accomplished, and simultaneously incredibly kind, caring, and moral. I hope to strike that balance as I grow older. She reminds me always to maintain focus on the most fulfilling and important aspects of life.