Hospital Visitations

Some social obligations must be observed, I suppose, But some leave me unnerved and somewhat morose. One such tribal ritual is the dreaded hospital visitation, A social call that I approach with very little anticipation! Usually its some guy who's a friend of a friend of my spouse, So I grudgingly traipse along to please the lady of my house. The hapless guy doesn't want to be there, neither do I. I'd rather be fishing on a placid lake with my rod and fly! Sprawled upon the bed he resembles a mummy wound in sheets, Sprouting tubes and needles, bandaged from chin to feets. To make conversation, I exclaim, "Gee, you're looking swell!" My wife kicked my shin - I could barely suppress a yell! Nursey comes by to give a shot that sets his head a-reeling. In his stupored state he just stares blankly at the ceiling. I can think of no words of hope or sick humor to impart. Lord, ain't there a way I can quickly, tactfully depart? I've oft wondered if the patient dreads the visit as much as me, Tho' I think there's one thing on which we can both agree. Rather than trying to cheer his soul with inane trumpery, Just smile a lot, hold his hand and cease the humbuggery! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)