Performed by Val Cole

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POEM:

I hear the flatline
Sounds of machine chirping between my ears
Pounding again and again
Like nails scratching a blackboard
Taking over my brain
Bee... beep...beep
Interrupting my thoughts getting louder
Wishing it was her heart moving in rhythm
An imperfected dance moving through the machine
Like our chemistry
I tried to recall our last conversation
Remembering the words
The way she uttered each syllable
But the sound of the damn machine kept creeping in
Breaking my concentration
Piercing my mind
All I hear is the beep...beep...beep
My mind flashing from present to past
Remembering the very first kiss
Savoring the way her lips grazed on my skin
The laugh when she was attempting to be cheeky
Beep...beep...beep
swapping back to now
At this moment, I hold her hand
Never wanting to let go
Soft and delicate
Cool to touch but I couldn’t enjoy this moment
Because of the beep...beep...beep
Growing stronger and louder
I looked into her eyes hoping she would say something
Her body was void of life
Yet she was so peaceful.
The noise was booming
Jolting me as it pierced my ears
Beep...beep...beep
Infiltrating my last moment
Our last moment
Beep.....beep....beep....then silence
A feeling of relief
A voice in the background whispering she’s gone
BEEEEEP!