today, at the hospital

by David LaBounty

there are forms
to fill and waivers
to sign. I wonder
about the difference
between customer
and patient as
my wife is
taken behind
some wall
where
she is pondered
and poked and
I sit alone
in the waiting
room. I have two
dollars in
my wallet
and to my
name and
my mind
is trying
to navigate
my way through
the ensuing
co-pays
and
deductibles

I stop,
and try
to read a
borrowed
book

but

there is no escaping here.