I couldn’t get the smell of disinfectant off my clothes the night my grandfather died By Diona S.

he’s staring at faces he no longer recognises

all he can feel is that he had loved them once

he reaches out to speak

a rattle escapes his lips

last words he never got to say

you’re in the corner

trying to appear strong

I had never seen you cry

but for the first time I held you

and for the first time we felt like father and daughter

the moment of warmth left as quickly as it came

your eyes dried

your face looked as cold as those hospital walls

I was pushed away

and then I realised

just like your father

that there was no saving you