Nursing Home Visit

I visit my father today because it is Thursday.
I identify myself. He smiles once, then goes back to sleep.
I wipe up the saliva that drips from his mouth.
I scrub the dried food off the arms of his wheel chair.
I lay my hand on his and sit silently with him, praying.
I tell him in his good ear that I will return on Sunday.
I wash my hands with soap to prevent catching old age.