Doctor's Waiting Room

I arrived early today for the appointment made months ago, And began the interminable wait to see the medico. When I checked in it was already half-past noon. The nurse said, "Take a seat and we'll be with you soon!" The room was full of people in every kind of condition. I thought, "Lord! Have mercy! Deliver me from this perdition! While waiting I'll surely contract a contagious disease I fear, And be much worse off than when I arrived in here!" I thumbed through time-worn magazines dating from nineteen fifty-three, And stared with glazed eyes at unctuous soap operas on TV. Swallowed stale coffee by the liter from a styrofoam cup, Not so patiently waiting for my name to be called up! I tried to snooze but that soon became a sad delusion, With rowdy kids and constant babble - just too much confusion. The little old lady next to me told of her every pain and ache, As I lent a compassionate ear, striving to stay awake! I was almost tempted to order in a scrumptious pizza pie. My stomach was growling and suppertime was drawing nigh. When at last the nurse in all her puffery before me did loom, And finally ushered me into the harried doctor's examining room! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)