It was a rainy dayAnd through the skylights in the pediatric ICUI felt salty rain hitting my cheeks A little girl was dying.Her family hugging her edematous bodyThat had once run, jumped, and played There were no other options, the medical team saidAs if we were talking about the rain

Patient on swallow precautionsBecause of a recent trip to the MICUFor aspiration pneumonia I go to examine herLifting her sheets gingerly,to not disturb her sleep And there, right by her mouthIs a Lindt chocolate bunnyWith the head bit right off When you’re 85,Some things are worth aspirating for