Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Stomach Endoscopy

January 26th


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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