Hospital Scene 2002

Standing by the window

I could see the city lights in the distance

Cars of various shapes and sizes line the streets

There are people down below,

Laughing and carrying on without a care in the world

I step away from the window

And I turn around

My da's lying on the hospital bed

Still as can be

A machine breathes for him

A tube through his stomach gives him food

The room is stark cold, and I shiver

But my mum doesn't even notice

Her eyes are glued to the heart monitor

Some people in lab coats come

To take his blood sugar, they say

I ask them about his glucose levels

And they say, "He's okay"

"No!" I want to scream

I want to chase them in the hallway and yell

Make them see

How can my da be okay

When they say he can't ever breathe on his own?

When they say he won't ever speak?

When they say he won't ever walk?

"No, he's not okay!" was what I wanted to scream

But I just stood there

Quietly watching their retreating backs

I walk back to the window

And look below

I used to be one of those carefree people

Milling about in the streets

And now I'm up here

So close, but so far

Go figure