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Unwillingly exposed I have been
Neglected in the lonely shore of my illness
Forced without will to trust you
Stranger among strangers
To surrender my hidden weakness and wells,
The memory of every loved one,
My own dignity and existence.
Instead of just looking away
Come closer and talk to me as a friend.
Fear of death is rough and arcane
But below these imprisoning machines
My heart beats, my mind thinks
And my soul still feels.
You might believe to be skillful is the art
But hiding behind an icy talent it is not,
Do not forget that I have been father, brother
Son, husband, and lover and my world is so far away
That this plea is just for a touch of fraternity.
If I am doomed and shall die now,
Embrace my spirit, even if it hurts you
Cover my broken and naked body with respect,
If you can patiently relieve my pain and anguish
Spare me also from a long-lasting agony
Because my dignity is reduced to ashes if you don’t.
Receive my silent plea without arrogance
Because the gift of life does not belong to any man
But my humble gratefulness will be for that one
Who was warm and human in this fateful hour.
Keko
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Galvez, S. A human plea. Intensive Care Med 39, 2212 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-013-3039-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-013-3039-0