Resident Artist 2: David Arthur, No. 1

 

Resident Artist 2, No. 1: Room #5234

Leaving the thick skin
of traumatizing memory
at the elevator door,
force it down my throat
as the smell of saline,
decaying skin,
and the terminal ill

slip their way back to my thoughts.

I have been here before
standing on the outside

waiting, helpless.

DeJa Vu dilates my pupils to fear.
The sound of EKG beeps pound
my ear drums to panic, the working

reminder for life being momentarily

I am not the professional
and do not trust the badge.
My specialty is staring in shock,
directing love to someone

I don’t know how long will last.

This visit is not about me
it’s for another

who will permanently leave.

When I check in to her room
hear the groggy voice
of low hope and ill fate.

I crack a joke

Hoping if this is the final moment
our final meeting
she will have a smile
while I shed a tear.

 

David Arthur

Copyright © 2016 by David Arthur

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 thoughts on “Resident Artist 2: David Arthur, No. 1

  1. January 19, 2016 at 6:16 pm

    A fine poem to introduce yourself to this motley crue that haunts these random pages seeking words…

    …words of gold.

    1. January 20, 2016 at 3:37 pm

      Thank you for stopping by Duane!