03-29-2013, 08:55 AM
revision 2
Blank scrubbed walls in room 410
give credence to his thoughts
of death by lemon odor; clean.
Stuck by giant, clamping hands
in a clouded pillow prison
of white—rough, tough and mean.
Panic belly button pressed,
tiny sticking tears reflect
muted cartoon bustle.
Sharp astringent pinches nose
as jellied food turns stomach
into rolls of unused muscle.
Repeating beeps and swishing scrubs
swap with baby brother’s whines;
he shoves white cotton in his ears.
Drip-induced unconsciousness
slows and slurs, shuts down
sideways looks of fear.
A pair of well-known mommy hands
caress a crown of stretched-out skin,
touch opens glassy eyes.
A hastened kiss for her young boy
before the hectic workday calls;
a life of smiles and lies.
revision
The austerity of his room
gives credence to his thoughts
of death by lemon odor; clean.
Stuck by giant, clamping hands
in a horizontal prison
of white—rough, tough and mean.
His panic belly button pressed,
tiny sticking tears reflect
muted cartoon bustle.
Sharp astringent pinches nose
as jellied food turns stomach
into rolls of unused muscle.
Repeating beeps and swishing scrubs
take over sounds of life;
he shoves white cotton in his ears.
Drip-induced unconsciousness
slows and slurs, shuts down
sideways looks of fear.
A pair of well-known hands
caress a crown of skin,
touch opens glassy eyes.
A hastened visit to her baby
before the workday calls;
a life of smiles and lies.
original
The austerity of his room
gives credence to his thoughts
of death by lemon odor; clean.
Stuck by giant, clamping hands
into a horizontal prison
of not-so-soft white,
his panic belly button pressed,
tiny sticking tears reflect
the soundless cartoons above.
Sharp astringent pinches nose
as jellied food turns stomach
into rolls of unused muscle.
Beeps and tennis shoe squeaks
replace sounds of familiar life;
he sticks sheet corners into ears.
Drip-induced unconsciousness
slows and slurs, shuts down
sideways looks of fear.
Well-known hands
caress a crown of skin
weighted eyes tremble open.
A hastened visit to her baby
before life and work
and responsibility calls.
Blank scrubbed walls in room 410
give credence to his thoughts
of death by lemon odor; clean.
Stuck by giant, clamping hands
in a clouded pillow prison
of white—rough, tough and mean.
Panic belly button pressed,
tiny sticking tears reflect
muted cartoon bustle.
Sharp astringent pinches nose
as jellied food turns stomach
into rolls of unused muscle.
Repeating beeps and swishing scrubs
swap with baby brother’s whines;
he shoves white cotton in his ears.
Drip-induced unconsciousness
slows and slurs, shuts down
sideways looks of fear.
A pair of well-known mommy hands
caress a crown of stretched-out skin,
touch opens glassy eyes.
A hastened kiss for her young boy
before the hectic workday calls;
a life of smiles and lies.
revision
The austerity of his room
gives credence to his thoughts
of death by lemon odor; clean.
Stuck by giant, clamping hands
in a horizontal prison
of white—rough, tough and mean.
His panic belly button pressed,
tiny sticking tears reflect
muted cartoon bustle.
Sharp astringent pinches nose
as jellied food turns stomach
into rolls of unused muscle.
Repeating beeps and swishing scrubs
take over sounds of life;
he shoves white cotton in his ears.
Drip-induced unconsciousness
slows and slurs, shuts down
sideways looks of fear.
A pair of well-known hands
caress a crown of skin,
touch opens glassy eyes.
A hastened visit to her baby
before the workday calls;
a life of smiles and lies.
original
The austerity of his room
gives credence to his thoughts
of death by lemon odor; clean.
Stuck by giant, clamping hands
into a horizontal prison
of not-so-soft white,
his panic belly button pressed,
tiny sticking tears reflect
the soundless cartoons above.
Sharp astringent pinches nose
as jellied food turns stomach
into rolls of unused muscle.
Beeps and tennis shoe squeaks
replace sounds of familiar life;
he sticks sheet corners into ears.
Drip-induced unconsciousness
slows and slurs, shuts down
sideways looks of fear.
Well-known hands
caress a crown of skin
weighted eyes tremble open.
A hastened visit to her baby
before life and work
and responsibility calls.