they parade through the hostile check-in,

the entrance

wrapped in grey,

shrouded in silence

a mournful dance in limbo

daily

sad, expressionless faces,

there is nowhere else to go but here,

the destination one,

the departure unclear

delayed

daily

they wake in her unquiet presence,

wait

her restless peace,

agitated

they promised she would go

lingering

daily

her weakened lungs

shattered and battered

a cloak

of smothered ash

weak and heavy and tired, thick

her every breath

saturated and hungry

a struggle, her lungs

held open only by the machine

now turned

off

awaiting take-off, exit

daily

each breath a hope of final rest

each breath a reminder of impending death

on-going

delayed

daily