Maria writes,

What is it you use 

for diaper rash?

Her husband of 45 years, at 88 

ten years older than she—

she thinks he’s getting

a bedsore, the beginning of one,

there on his familiar shoulder blade, 

on the side he sleeps on

facing her. For awhile 

they slept separate,

for awhile she had help

at night, someone who 

stayed with him so 

she could finally relax her watch

and sleep. Then someone to sit with him

just a few hours 

during the day

so she could get out

for this or that, sometimes

make a meeting, pick up bread,

paletas for him. But then one night

he fell, even as the sitter guarded, 

so she moved back into 

their bed, sleeping beneath

the sitter’s eye. And then  

the virus came

and she had to let all caregivers go.

So now it’s just her

and him

in the house

and at night she even 

ties herself 

to him

so that if he wakes and walks 

she is sure to wake too,

to help him to the bathroom

and back 

without falling.