Squelch, slosh of loose dentures
On moist, bare gums.
Mumbled, muffled garble
And smacking, slurping lips
Of those who refuse
The indignity of fake teeth.

Soft clink of Bingo chips
On the cards of the hopeful,
Who still believe they can win.

Grunting, snorting snores
That always pervade
The house of the life-weary.

Excited, agitated chitter
Of those who found an ear
Willing to listen to their stories.

Haunting, hushed sighs
Of lonely, solitary souls,
Ready for a forlorn death.

But among these noises,
An infrequent sound resonates –
The gruff rumbling roar of a car engine…

A visitor has come at last.