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This poem is taken from Poetry Nation 4 Number 4, 1975.

Coming to Terms Roger Hecht

Then, and not only then, there will be
Neither any use nor sense in speech:
The man in the bed beside yours will extend
A hand convulsed in clutching and unclutching
Hospital air
And you will either grip his hand and hold it
The little while it takes a man to die
Or watch the hand until the arm falls, dangles.
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