About the Column:

Poems of Our Climate is a weekly poetry column run by Sofia Baluyut ’23. The column was founded by Oliver Egger ’23 as a part of the literary magazine group Route 9. Submit and read past issues of The Lavender at Route9.org. If you are interested in having your poem featured in this column, please email your work directly to sbaluyut@wesleyan.edu. 

 

Tony

You boxed men half your age until your ears

Gnarled and split like spit-out bubblegum

And even in your slumber, the fighting did not stop: 

Your sheets soaked in terror before the sleep apnea mask 

Testified to your inner sick.

 

Tony, please tell me you were not yet in the teeth

Of dementia. Please tell me you did not yet taste

Our farewell. Your bulldog paunch was never meant

For the antiseptic smock of hospice care.

 

I cannot watch as they rub vaseline on your bedsores.

I cannot watch as they dab a wet sponge to your tongue.

Tony, I am struggling to find the poetry in this.

Tony, please help me find it.

 

About the Poet:  Aidan Fitzmaurice ’23 is a poet from Newton, Massachusetts who loves Tropicália music, rainy days, and kitchens with black and white tiled floors. He can be contacted at afitzmaurice@wesleyan.edu.