Best Hospital Poems

dadgum doctors, heads up their butts
poking, prodding, pricking skin
neurologist a psychopath
gets pleasure as electric volts pass through my body

family doctor showed little concern
made me paranoid about irregular heartbeat
EKG failed to determine cause
left me more in doubt than at ease

dentist like a character from Dustin Hoffman’s...

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FROM A HOSPITAL BED
Wordancer

Even if I’m dizzy with an aching head, 
I must not disturb the others in the beds
In this hospital ward where not much is said
For fear of making a fuss.

It’s not much fun with nothing to do 
Can’t even get up to...

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I sit with the wall against my back. The wall refuses to move despite endless requests.

The door opens and closes its mouth, it wishes to say something, but nothing comes of it, only its letterbox chatters ceaselessly and without any deep meaning to it, drops...

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Don’t you remember, love, how we danced that first night;
beneath the sun’s rays, toes dipping in the cooling sand, 
to the tune of our favorite song –
with me humming the best I could – 
(I sounded terrible, but you told me I sounded divine, remember?)
while...

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I was working for John Arnold fitting out some shower screens.
"Make sure you're wearing armored pants" had me wonder what he means.
Then he handed me an order form; John Booth’s house was my trip.
‘Boothys’ bloody heeler dog snuck up behind and gave a nip.

I screamed...

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I'm going to the hospital again.
I'll see some new and old friends.
The doctor must like me for he likes to see me,
At least once a year to attend,

To matters concerning my throat.
Seems it slowly constricts and I choke.
Food sticks in my throat, I strangle and...

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Dusk was growing into the night. 
She moaned in pain and boredom.
She looked upwards towards the window.
Seemed dirty, she thought.

Headstrong, she turned on her side.
In a sitting position, she clutched the rod
Which supplied her with some drip. 
Nausea gripped her, like seasickness.

She rested for a...

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On the dock upon the hill
there your stance is very still
you seem as dazed if taking pills
you tilt your head and there you spill
dive in the water your thoughts no will
luckily no breakage for there is sill
you are shivering but you have no chill
your body...

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Sanitize your hands before
You open up the door.
Grab a tissue to protect
From germs left there before.

Purell spigots on the walls
Everywhere you turn.
Still, despite these offerings, 
Most people never learn.

Hospitals are breeding grounds
For every type of germ.
Even if you’re visiting,
You may wind up infirm.

Years ago, before...

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Hospitals are designed
(a) to make you appreciate your bed at home
(b) to prompt many unanswerable questions 
(c) to facilitate smooth patient care
(d) to never complain about your wife’s cooking again

Referrals to a psychiatrist are made when 
(a) you become catatonic after having no sleep for...

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Hey Tom, you look well cared for and well fed,
Sure you longed to sleep in your own bed,
You must've had pain, hope they spoiled you,	
More medication, preferred a whiskey or two,
Which nurse did you like best, which one a dread.
...

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In the avalanche, I lost track of my guiding light.
I fled my fireside. I had to evacuate my homestead. 
Driven far astray by frenetic frozen fright,
I was just a cowardly racing rescuing airhead.

The wounded wooden face of my brother
lugged away by paramedics in a wheelchair.
My...

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Reminders we are not finite
Lest we should forget
Time tends to stop and hover
Undetectable
In a slow motion whirl
Caught in an endless loop
Like a 45 record that skips
It’s a typical phenomena
In all hospital waiting rooms
A soupy silence so very palpable
Contemplating the meaning of life
And what is left...

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they're rolling him away
in a wheelchair
down the hospital hall
out of my reach
cutting the cord
promising to bring him back

they're rolling him away
his future in their hands
leaving me in silence
alone with my fears
wallowing as i wait
with nothing but hope



AP: Honorable Mention 2022

Posted on September 11, 2018...

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Waiting room
Anticipation
White coats
Processing plant
Sharp needles
Good and bad
The ticking 
Of the clock
Resounding
Through
And through
Calling names
One at a time
The long walk
Down the hall



Published in my 24-page photo/anthology ~RANDOM MUSINGS VOL.3~ 2020

AP: Honorable Mention 2022

Submitted on February 16, 2020 for contest STRAND SELECT Q sponsored by BRIAN STRAND

Originally posted...

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