John Michaels Poet Free verse

Nil By Mouth

Plink. Plink.

Drip...
follows drop,
follows drip,
follows drop.

Plink. Plink.

Resolutely, incessantly,
each precious globule
snakes, languidly, along
labyrinthine tunnel.

Plink. Plink.

Seemingly-innocuous fluid
conveys crucial content
and necessary nourishment:
sole source of sustenance.

Plink. Plink.

Life-affirming droplets
are welcomed, eagerly, into
damaged vessel's system.

Plink. Plink.

Naught but air to pass lips,
"NBM" had been decreed.

Plink. Plink.

Temporarily,
    but indelibly,
        branded.

Plink. Plink.

-----------------------------------

8 October 2017

NBM / Nil by Mouth is a medical instruction to prevent patients from consuming any food or water orally, often replaced by intravenous fluids.

Submitted to Julia Ward's "Your Favourite Free Verse Poem From October 2017 or November 2017" contest.
(2nd Place)

Entered in Butterfly Wings' "Could You, Please" contest.
(6th Place)

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Eve Roper November 6, 2018 at 12:34 PM Congratulations on Julia's contest...nicely done... John Michaels November 7, 2018 at 7:09 AM Thanks very much, Eve. I'm pleased that I was able to turn such a horrible experience into something positive!! All the best, John.

Line Gauthier November 5, 2018 at 6:32 PM Congrats on your gold medal win, John. John Michaels November 6, 2018 at 7:41 AM Thanks very much, Line. Same goes for you! Regards, John.

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 5, 2018 at 7:11 AM Congratulations on your win in Julia Ward's contest! Good stuff :)) xomo John Michaels November 5, 2018 at 10:28 AM Thanks for the great comments, Maureen! Much appreciated. Regards, John.

Julia Ward November 5, 2018 at 2:46 AM Unique and highly deserving in my contest asking for a favourite free verse poem from October or November last year. Well done for its second place win, John. Julia John Michaels November 5, 2018 at 10:28 AM Thanks very much for my placement! I'm glad you liked it! Regards, John.

Teddy Kimathi October 23, 2017 at 8:09 AM Wow! Great work of genius! Congrats John, for your WIN in the contest! ;-) John Michaels October 23, 2017 at 1:37 PM Thanks for the amazing feedback, Teddy! Pleased you liked it. All the best, John.

Constance La France October 21, 2017 at 9:23 AM John, congratulations on your win in my contest with this creative write ! John Michaels October 23, 2017 at 1:25 PM Thank you for running the contest - and for my placement! Regards, John.

Eve Roper October 20, 2017 at 11:12 PM Congratulations on your win, John, intresting ! Hugs Eve ~`* John Michaels October 23, 2017 at 1:31 PM Thanks, Eve - appreciate the kind comments. Regards, John.

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart October 20, 2017 at 6:13 PM ...back with congratulations! John Michaels October 23, 2017 at 1:18 PM Thanks so much, Maureen.

Paul Callus October 14, 2017 at 7:03 AM Incidentally, visited a friend of mine in hospital this morning; she's on the drip and is not allowed anything else. You treat this topic creatively, John. Regards // paul John Michaels October 14, 2017 at 7:09 AM Thanks, Paul! When hooked up to one and with nothing to do, the mind tends to wander - this is where my muse took me. Regards, John.

Andrea Dietrich October 8, 2017 at 8:59 PM oh you taught me a new thing today. I never heard NMB before. Nicely done. John Michaels October 14, 2017 at 5:35 AM Was new to me too, until a couple of weeks ago. I know it's a bit of a random write, but was just my way of dealing. All the best, John.

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart October 8, 2017 at 11:04 AM Wild pen! John Michaels October 14, 2017 at 5:35 AM Thanks, Maureen. Hopefully that's "wild" in a good way :)!! Regards, John.