HOSPITAL PATIENT

 

Whispering, you struggle

A near-silent scream

Frail and twisted,

It slips out of your mouth

 

In your arm is planted

An array of plastic trees

Filled with clear liquid

Ending in needle points

 

Your face is yellow

Sullen are your eyes

I wince as I survey

The mask of pain on your face

 

Do you realize

How precious life is

When it begins to fade

The light dims in your eyes

 

I kneel by your side

Your body is limp,

Clothed in a hospital gown

When will you stir?

 

A choking gasp is trapped

Temporarily in your throat

Hoarse, it escapes

Accompanied by a groan

 

Hastily, I stand up

Filled with hope

Of your survival

At last you have moved

 

Eyelids slide up

Revealing ruby eyes

They stare up to

Heaven in the sky

 

Patiently, I wait

Pacing, at a sturdy gait

Around your limp body

When I see you jerk

 

Sitting up straight,

Your eyes widen,

Mouth gaping open

So I stare, now with fear

 

  Blood rushes out

Creating a pool

Stained red sheets

Drip with your life

 

Rushing in, doctors surround

The bleeding body

Of you on the ground

I share your pain

 

Nightmares grip my mind

Dominated by darkness

I am trying to find something

And know it’s you

 

When I awaken

I’m in the bed by yours

My head turns

To face you

 

You’re looking back at me

Your life a tragedy

Yet on your face

You have a smile

 

And you whisper

A final phrase,

“I’ll be with

You forever.”

 

Heidi Holzbauer
© August 2005

Midi: "Kae Ne Na"
(That's It)
Nat Myria
(www.sunncity.com)

Graphic: "Hospital Scene"
(Clipart Illustration)
Image: Dennis Cox
(www.acclaimimages.com)