The Ever-Patient Patient

by Mike Blake

Sooner or later it won’t matter.
Closing his eyes, he retreats inward
As they poke and prod
As he shudders at the touch.
Too bright the outside light,
Too unfeeling the foreign touch.
A patient under the bright scrutiny,
And the inevitable poke and prod
Followed by
The typical diagnosis.

Sooner or later it won’t matter.
Comforting himself with a private laugh.
Let them stitch up the wounded monster,
And soothing fluids for his nerves.
Nothing less than professional
In the institutional glare,
In the antiseptic air,
In the officially sanctioned care.

The ever-patient patient
For he sees it is futile
To protest under the certified eye,
Content to keep some of himself
Hidden under the pillow.

For sooner or later .

One Response to “The Ever-Patient Patient”

jacques

July 12th, 2005 at 11:59 pm

Yo
Is this you, Uncle Meat? Sounds like you. I hear you’re back in RI. Cherie ran into Jeff at the Hopkinton town hall.
If you get this, let’s get together, I want you to read/hear some of my latest stuff. I’m in the book, and available at the local home depot as well. Tool rental department.
Jacques