The Gift


Late morning,
promises kept,
the establishment
allows a bath
Brings towels
and soap

The needles
all pulled out

Door closed
And sitting
(wisely)
The hot water
runs and runs
as fingers seek and peel
the hot black snaps
no longer hooked to
the heart monitor
And snaps from earlier
investigations
Three sets in all

Bubbles
heat
steam
warmth
freedom
beauty
joy
All you ever wanted.

Dry my hair
which glows like a fizzy white halo,
don my jeans and pink sweater
(I might be human after all)
put on my lemongrass sandals
And when they allow me gone
they let me walk to the door
And wave goodbye

Leaving me only how to find
this new life
the one they gave me back
which doesn't much resemble
the one I had before


jjl
19 October 2011