Playing Games With Death

I wrote this poem as a response to a discussion with a friend about how hospice works at the end of life. She asked me the question: can we really delay death? Or do we just deceive ourselves? This poem is an attempt to open the door to discussion and more questions. Let me know what you think.

Playing Games With Death

Sometimes Death sits at the table

Hand resting on the cards.

We pull away,

Not ready for the last trick,

The trump card

In the game of life.

We put up a hand,

Submit to shuffling through

Machines, medicines, machinations.

Delay tactics?

Cheating death?

One more round...

We play the gambling game

With Death at the door.

But Death smiles,

Hides his cards

Hovers.

Or

Sometimes Death doesn't show up to the game.

Instead walking switchbacks

Where no obstacles exist.

He inches forward,

Extending a card

Then pulling it back-

Seeming to mercilessly tease

The recipient who lays

Open handed.

Prepared,

To lay it all down.

Why? We ask

Does death not come

To the table

When invited.

Why does he delay-

Standing on the sidelines

Smiling peacefully

Awaiting some unknown appointment time

When he is already tardy?

Can we hurry him along?

And yet, death comes in his own time.

We think we make the rules

But Death knows

The Master playmaker.

Joy Eastridge, 2015

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jeastridge

About jeastridge, BSN, RN

(Columnist)

Joy has been a nurse for 35 years, practicing in a variety of settings. Currently, she is a Faith Community Nurse. She enjoys her grandchildren, cooking for crowds and taking long walks.

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Specializes in Psychiatric, Aesthetics.

Hmm. It's been days since your post, so I'll be the first to respond; I think "death" is given too much power here. Many more powers (or not- not trying to offend) may or may not, come in to play.

Personally, I believe we are given our time here. If it's prolonged or delayed makes little difference in the grand scheme of things.

Nice thought in the poem though.

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Just started working in Hospice, and I have volunteer (non-clinical) experience in the ED for seven years. It's all true in my opinion. Death happens on it's own time. It doesn't change that I focus on comfort in the moment.

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Specializes in Faith Community Nurse (FCN).
Hmm. It's been days since your post, so I'll be the first to respond; I think "death" is given too much power here. Many more powers (or not- not trying to offend) may or may not, come in to play.

Personally, I believe we are given our time here. If it's prolonged or delayed makes little difference in the grand scheme of things.

Nice thought in the poem though.

Thank you for your response--that's the good thing about a poem--there is no "answer" or "right" way to look at it. You get to feel and interpret it just the way you like! Maybe the words invite us to think a bit or ask a question. Have a wonderful day! Joy

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