Cold Feet

His feet are cold
“Freezing,” he says.

His cold feet are a symptom
Not something he can just
Get more exercise
And make better
He will never
Get better

The beginning
They are indicative
Of the process
The long
And slow
Process
Of deterioration
Disintegration
His body’s betrayal

I cannot opt out
Choose not to go there
Get cold feet

A gift of woolen socks
Is the least
I can give
The most
I can do
For this
Dying man