The Final Dance

Death, you come again

You take another person from this life

You take their spark and leave behind their body, their memories

I am here to confirm your work

I stand next to the body which remains

Their family sit and watch in silence

I look at their face, someone I’ve met before or maybe never

I check to confirm their name

I talk to them, I touch them, I squeeze them

No response

I look into their eyes and shine my light

Fixed and glassy eyes stare back at me with no recognition

I feel for a pulse, stillness

I listen to their chest, silence

Death has done its job; I have done mine

Our final dance has finished

A brief moment of reflection

Now back to work, other patients to see