Palavras lidas #342

The Radiation Waiting Room
by Susan Herron Sibbet

They bring us to this pastel room,
      point to the lockers,
      point to the dressing rooms.
It could almost be a gym,
      only there’s a wheelchair, there’s Health News,
      there’s a complicated flower jigsaw puzzle,
      there are romance novels to borrow
      in case you will be returning often.
We change into gowns that tie in the back;
      some of us get to keep on our shirts,
      some our pants;
      we all wear shoes.
Those of us who have come so often
      wait comfortably,
      take care of the new ones,
      offer answers, directions, suggestions.
Only we are careful not to say
      how long we’ve been coming
      or what we have or
      what they’ve done
      or are about to do.