The daily clergy visitor

The daily clergy visitor

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Every noon time,

an elderly clergy man would stand

at a corner of the busy ward, observing.

Streams of visitors strolled in

towards their loved ones or friends.

Some brought extra fruits and food.

They would hug and kiss

the face or the hands of the patients,

chatting concernly.

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A few lonely patients watched silently,

but their loved ones were struggling

in a hand-to-mouth existence

to feed their family,

let alone afford a trip

from the interior to the city hospital. 

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The clergyman clasped his hands together

in front of his chest

and gestured if he may sit down

next to a bedridden patient.

The patient nodded and pointed

to a chair next to his bed. 

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It was all silence and touch communication

as he peeled an orange or banana

to feed the patient. 

He would wipe the face

and hands of the patient.

And he would just sit for a while

before moving to

the next targeted patient.

Until a security man came in

ringing his bell signalling

the end of the visiting hours.

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