Student Publishing Program ::

Nicole Walsh

A Hospital Reality

Frail as a newborn, she lies on the bed,

That is soon to be vacant, remade.

Beep… Beep… Beep…

The sound hurts my ears,

Like the squeal of a microphone.

Beep…Beep… Beep…

Her skin sags like the hospital sheets,

Wrinkled, limp, papery.

Beep… Beep… Beep…

The pungent smell of antiseptic lingers,

A deep whiff of vinegar.

Eye-watering, it makes me cry.

Beep… Beep… Beep…

But maybe I’m just sad.

Beep… Beep… Beep…

I have seen her shrink from sunset to sunrise,

And can count nine ribs through her potato sack nightgown.

Beep… Beep… Beep…

Cancer is selfish!

A bandit, a thief, a crook!

It will steal her away from me.

It already has.

Beep… Beep… Beep…

We are both helpless.

She cannot fight it off,

I cannot help,

Beep… Beep… Beep…

Slower now,

A merry-go-round screeching to a stop

Is the ride over already?

Just one more turn!

BeepBeepBeepBeepBeepBeepBeepBeepBeep!

My heart accelerates with the machine.
A nurse enters, then a doctor.

What good will they do her?

Cancer won.

The machine is quiet, a traitor!

Silence mourns with me,

I feel alone in a bustling hospital,

As ghostly as her.

Frail as a newborn, her soul departs,

From the bed that is soon to be vacant, remade.

I am empty now.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS, LHS CLASS OF 2012 EDITION]