Grandmother

She looks regal
Hair in grey tuffs
Heaped upon herself
A child's eyes, bright
Stubborn, meaningless
Blue

Leaning heavy
On her black and white cane
On grandpa's arm
On my shoulder, saying
"You are so good to me."

A machine cleans her blood
Sucks it from her veins, spits it back in
Her bruises are hickies from
needle kissing her desert skin

Her mouth is ragged flesh
And a thick, useless tounge
Like a bird's
Eating grease, sugar, fat
Eating death, a side of fries
Her smile: unapologetic.

And everyday I pray
God, please
I don't ask for much
But let grandma live
Forever.