the heart monitors
jointed steady beep
file into unison
and then slowly depart

the ER
has no vacant beds
and the injured
keep rolling in

each of us
representatives
of our own complex
and distinct crossroads

the daughters
stand near their fathers
some on cell phones
seem inconvenienced

my mother’s only son
sits at the end of her bed
well familiar with the practices
and procedures of the faculty

all of which
got their masters degree
in the art of avoiding
unnecessary eye contact

so we wait for:
dilaudid
ativan
morphine
thorazine

like clockwork -
a surgery for every year
I can remember
the doctors so eager
to put their textbooks
to practice

oh
how rare
the severity
of her condition

but at what cost?

please sign here and there
you can check your childhood
with the receptionist

your insurance covers
this contraption
which will limit your movement
to just a few hours a day

so someone will need to feed you
and help you to the potty

but don’t worry
we have prescribed you a pill
for every state of mind

you’ll barely remember
the life you were cheated of
or the reasons why your husband
couldn’t take it anymore

And God forbid you get the flu
and you can’t take your medication on time
you’ll find yourself laid up
in the ER

reeling from the withdraws.

02/27/2010

Posted on 02/27/2010
Copyright © 2025 Scott Cadence