2.53am

 I’m sitting with a patient who cannot speak but is awake

Insomnia seems to go hand in hand with palliative care

It’s early morning. 

The tv is too invasive 

So it the radio

So I sit and write quietly with his permission , keeping him company in silence.

We are heading towards the witching hour

3 am, it is thought, to be the time of Jesus’ death.

I only know that because a devout catholic friend, a Filipina nurse, told me on night shift.

Apparently the Chinese think that 3 am is the time we all process our blocked emotions.

I think I believe that could be true.

It is also the time humans flit from our deepest sleep to a lighter one