Theodore's Pantoum

THEODORE'S PANTOUM


I stay in the hospital with Theodore
He's thin as the bar on his bed
Theodore gasps for breath, praying for his life
As his roommate bursts into tears.


He's thin as the bar on his bed
He's running a fever it burns my hand
As his roommate bursts into tears
Theodore's doctor checks his pulse.


He's running a fever it burns my hand
His bony face is full of sadness
Theodore's doctor checks his pulse
Quietly, like a soft wind passing by.


His bony face is full of sadness
He hesitates, then speaks to Theodore
Quietly, like a soft wind passing by
He whispers, "Theodore, I think it's time..."


He hesitates, then speaks to Theodore
Time stop in the cold room
He says, "Theodore I think it's time
Should we call your family now?"


Time stop in the cold room
Theodore looked up but he doesn't speak
"Should we call your family now?"
The only sound in the world: a construction site across the street.


Theodore looked up but he doesn't speak
"We need to call them now before it's too late."
The only sound in the world: a construction site across the street.
The doctor peels off his gloves and leave me and Theodore alone.


"We need to call them now before it's too late."
Theodore groans, his hand reaches mine
The doctor peels off his gloves and leave me and Theodore alone
Takes one last look and left the room.


Theodore groans, his hand reaches mine
His roommate who hears everything
Takes one last look and left the room
I take his hand, ask him what he wants.


His roommate who hears everything
Though he pretends to cry more
I take his hand, ask him what he wants
His voice slow and thick, "I don't know what to decide."


Though he pretends to cry more
I know Theodore is trying to pull himself together
His voice slow and thick, "I don't know what to decide."
"I can't think about it now. Tell me a story."


I know Theodore is trying to pull himself together
I rack my brain for something to say
"I can't think about it now. Tell me a story."
"Once upon a time there was a sweet boy named Theodore."


I rack my brain for something to say.
I stay in the hospital with Theodore
"Once upon a time there was a sweet boy named Theodore."
Theodore gasps for breath, praying for his life.