Get Your Premium Membership

Hospital beds

A steady beep Not steady beep - jaunty tune I don't like you jaunty tune Whilst no one is running in maybe I sit calm I like to stand up and slightly move a wire or send messages from my brain to the machine, tell it no Steady beep, sit down They'll come soon to improve quality of life but not extend it I don't know what that means, I probably know what that means Steady beep, jaunty tune, stand up Move the blanket slightly, magically Steady beep Visitors opposite leave, that lady says "see you soon" I'm thinking how does anyone know but I sit behind this curtain where the tune plays and no one arrives Oh the next bed is back, they return in 4 weeks for a check up - steady beep We were doing the crossword together earlier, I find it cuts through the situation Jaunty tune, lower still, no one comes 89, needs to be 92 as a minimum they'd said, stand up, get eye to eye with machine, there's nothing I can touch, the blanket isn't magical, I'll try it, straighten the blanket, jaunty tune, jaunty tune, jaunty tune... Jaunty tune, jaunty tune, jaunty tune, hold hand, jaunty tune, jaunty tune, no one runs in, jaunty tune, jaunty tune, mess with mask, jaunty tune, go to doctor He says that's fine She's next in surgery He says that's fine at 88 - 90, jaunty tune, jaunty tune I don't like this alarm Google oxygen saturation, cause for concern at 89, jumps up to 94, steady beep 97, I didn't touch anything, 94, 95, settle in chair with steady beep Steady beep, steady beep, 85 no tune, machine says "no patient" 57, mess with wire, jaunty tune 88 Steady beep, jaunty tune, 86 Can't stand it, wake up, sit up, steady beep 95, 91, steady beep, jaunty tune Hurry up quality of life people Jaunty tune, jaunty tune, jaunty tune

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 11/9/2024 3:23:00 PM
That infernal Jaunty tune ! Entering one's brain, washing it of the capability to think straight. Why does no one come to turn it off? Do they not hear it? It sinks deep into the walls down the corridor, that jaunty tune, crying out a plea for attention, mesmerizing to the point of insanity, when a nurse rushes in turns it off and disappears, just before it begins again, that jaunty tune! YOU ARE A MASTER AT CREATING A SCENE THAT CAPTIVATES THE SENSES WITH SUCH OBSERVANT REALITY, MY DEAR FRIEND. Thinking of you in your time of concern, and as she recovers to be her lovely well self again.
Login to Reply
Da11y Avatar
Di11y Da11y
Date: 11/10/2024 12:49:00 AM
Thanks Wen, the majority of the machines have been removed now. It's bizarre how one day feeds into another but everything is different. I happened to have photographs of the Sunday, Wednesday and then took one Friday. The fine, to terrible to massive improvement makes me wonder if days really are separated by 24 hours or if we walk in different dimensions as we sleep and get off in parallel ones from time to time. Thank you for your wonderful comment - it's an absolute joy to see you grace the pages of PS again x
Date: 11/9/2024 9:05:00 AM
Wow... I was scared it was about you, glad to know you are well.. Hopefully your loved one will heal soon and no more jaunty tunes
Login to Reply
Da11y Avatar
Di11y Da11y
Date: 11/9/2024 1:38:00 PM
Today's a much better day Jo x
Date: 11/8/2024 1:00:00 PM
Dear DD, We get more observant and on our toes when in such settings, this year i was there, as my dad had a heart attack and went through many surgeries etc. so i can imagine and empathise, i hope surgery went well, im assuming it is about your loved one, and i hope and pray they heal and recover soon. You are in my thoughts, sigh! Life! Sending you light always~
Login to Reply
Da11y Avatar
Di11y Da11y
Date: 11/8/2024 1:03:00 PM
Thank you Ink, similar scenario (hopefully just one surgery though). Hospitals are funny places - time moves strangely there. Thank you for your kind words x
Date: 11/8/2024 12:54:00 PM
Dilly, you went from doing the crossword puzzles to jaunty tunes at the ER. Life or death pivoting vitals, a lot for one with a full timetable but life sends us tidal waves least expected. Prayers for you and yours, DD.
Login to Reply
Da11y Avatar
Di11y Da11y
Date: 11/8/2024 1:01:00 PM
Those jaunty tunes will haunt my dreams! The crossword is a godsend though (especially with the answers available), just transports to some calm and connected space doing a shared crossword. I'm still in a daze though, I'll see what happens now today is done. Thanks for your well wishes x
Date: 11/8/2024 10:28:00 AM
So much going through your mind Dilly I can feel it racing and slowing trying to keep apace with the jaunty tune beeping on the monitor, (probably driving you nuts as well) I hope you’re back home now and tuning into a well deserved stiff drink, cheers David
Login to Reply
Da11y Avatar
Di11y Da11y
Date: 11/8/2024 11:42:00 AM
Thanks David, had to settle for a Subway each as everything was shutting. It was eaten like it was food from the Gods :)
Kavanagh  Avatar
David Kavanagh
Date: 11/8/2024 11:09:00 AM
Sounds like that was a very long day Dilly, the beeping doesn’t help matters either, get yourself a nice toastie and cup of tea, usually does the trick for me :) hope the operation was a complete success!
Da11y Avatar
Di11y Da11y
Date: 11/8/2024 10:44:00 AM
I'm still here, she's just out of surgery and starving so I'm nipping to the shop.
Date: 11/8/2024 8:19:00 AM
I don't know if you're still hearing that jaunty tune, but you made me a nervous wreck reading this one. Pulse is 98 and BP is 170/98. I need a nap!
Login to Reply
Da11y Avatar
Di11y Da11y
Date: 11/8/2024 8:30:00 AM
Thanks x
Lane Avatar
Lin Lane
Date: 11/8/2024 8:27:00 AM
Dilly, I didn't know you were really in a hospital. I hope everything is ok.
Da11y Avatar
Di11y Da11y
Date: 11/8/2024 8:23:00 AM
There's jaunty tunes all over but for the next hour I have no immediate machines going until she's out of surgery

Book: Reflection on the Important Things