Nostrils inhale that "Listerine" sterile scent that turns my stomach
while sitting and hearing the soft instrumental sounds
floating out of the speaker in the ceiling
and trying to flip through the dog eared pages
of three year old Good Housekeeping magazine missing half its cover.
Mind stabbing with a thousand kniving questions
over whether the test results
are going to require me to fill out a will and see grim reaper visions
or be able to worry when the next potential blockbluster
will come out at the theater,
having a sort flash of guilt over reducing life down to cinema fixes.
Receptionist dressed in her white uniform
maintains her monotone, condescending voice
when answering the phone or talking to patients,
her eyes distant and cold
detaching herself from getting to know people
who won't survive another month.
Other patients sit and wear the same mask of suppressed panic
some with a hint in their eyes they still think they are immortal,
while a few are as me, scared, controlling the need to scream,
praying this is all a nightmare that will go away tomorrow.
Second tick away so agonizingly slow,
it is already forty minutes passed my appointment time,
each additional second feels as if somebody is dropping
an anvil on my head.
Finally my name is called, chest pounding, body aching with anxiety,
taking the long walk down the corridor to the examination room,
where I wait another agonizing half an hour
before the doctor come to let me know if someday soon
I'll be going through death's doorway.
Author notes
Prompt - doctor's office, waiting room
A contest entry
- Contemplations: The Waiting Room by Cat.
1300 points, ended November 9, 2007, 16 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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I like this piece, albeit a bit prosaic in parts and a bit heavy going.... with some fine tuning and editing, this could be a great piece with a real good twist to it..
i did enjoy the read.... and many thanks for entering our contest
Good luck too
G.x -
this is another write that i'm really pleased found its way into this contest- it is well written and gripping and something happened here that never happens when i read all poetry poetry- i genuinely wanted to know the answer...
this isn't a perfect poem, perhaps a bit thick in a couple spots (lightened would pull the reader through better) but i think its a really , really good poem-
and im so glad to find it here
m -
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Thank you for the wonderful comment.
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This is a wonderfully penned poem.
I really can relate to this piece.
Great imagery and wonderful wording
Thanks for sharing your amazing talent
Best of wishes to you allway's.
Tony
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Thank you for the wonderful comment.
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Wonderful!!
Oy!!!!
Love this piece You have penned Sweetness
and gosh...that word
condescending...just turns my stomach...
Wowzers!!
Powerful message!!
Thank You for sharing Your Talent!!
Many blessings to You in the contest
Best wishes too
and my Love
~ Desire~*~
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Thank you darling for hte precious words. A sad but true story.
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