The Cecily Saunders
The Cecily Saunders
came to stay with us—
long before we needed her.
I think she was sort of tall,
or she seemed that way
and was actually small.
Whatever--she was big
and so important
and she was here in our house.
She dressed as you might expect:
a smiling nanny
with listening blue eyes.
This quiet little meeting
of Britain and us
set a tidal wave in motion.
Miss Saunders brought the doctors
the permission to see
a new Hippocratic Oath.
To care and yet not to care,
that was the question--
what is to become of us?
Cecily said, hold my hand;
cocktail hour is good;
and please take away the pain.
She stayed with us
at 281
like a regular person.
And then 30 years later
we came to her house:
Clifton Springs, House of John
A place of honor, no pain;
a place for cocktails,
holding hands and letting go.
Thank you, Miss Saunders.
