Day 9 in Hospital
Stomach Endoscopy
Thick liquid sent to the stomach
A shot in a muscle
My throat numb with an anesthetic.
"Lie down," a nurse said.
Here comes an endoscopy camera with eyes of a black snake.
I clutched the small hand of the nurse, scared.
Five minutes passed.
A ropable black snake in my stomach.
I can't take it anymore. I can't breathe.
I thought I was going to die.
The black snake left.
Hyperventilated, I was wasted on the bed washed ashore.
Panting like a dog defeated by the heat of summer.
I yowled and gasped.
My breathing stopped.
I heard babble of voices, I heard somebody say "Open your eyes."
I couldn't open my eyes.
A dog defeated by the heat of summer just kept on panting.
Somebody shook me.
Somebody called my name at my ear.
My voice failed. I can't answer.
Somebody called my name again and again.
Call an ambulance, I thought and realized I was already in a hospital.
And yet, nobody came to rescue me.
One hour passed.
I started coming back to me.
I was forced to move onto a wheelchair,
Which brought me back.
B1 exam room was just the same before,
Physicians and nurses were working as if nothing happend.
Without me being conscious the world went on.
After I die, against all odds the chaotic world would keep going on.
Poem by Maria Franki
Edited and translated by J. Ujiie
© 2011
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