TIMED OUT

Ten minutes to midnight

he asked for a glass of wine

to help him calm his mind

I took it to his lips

slowly he took small sips

some spilt onto his bib

he gave a toothless smile

knowing fully well it was

way out of the rules defined

A secret between us confined

A routine trick I had refined 

smuggling in bottle of wine

tucked in pocket of my white coat

Next night could not find

my favourite patient in his bed

was told he had expired 

his clock on side table had stopped

five minutes to midnight.  

In his will had given me

all his belongings including

his clock I haven't since wound