A year later, we give thanks—
that it was then, not now,

that we could be there
in the hospital with him, for days,

that so many friends could come and go,
give last goodbyes, lean close,

and not once did any of us worry
about sharing the same air.

Jennifer L Freed mostly writes poems, which have appeared in various
journals and anthologies. See more on her website: jfreed.weebly.com.