I’m now that man
At their mercy
Who begs for days
Poorly spent
And another bad year
Facing hallways
With those whitest of lights
Blaring down

Losing holidays
Hospitals miss
But remain
Through few decorations
Each doctor hangs
Besides photos
Having families
Much better blessed

Just putting things off
Unexcused
Like a waiting room wish
Never fading
Until drugs kick in
Hitting tables
Where the magnets whir
Half-asleep

Not dreaming there
But restrained
From futures sought
Needing answers
When holding hands
In our foyer
Trading vows so real
They got sick

By remaining true
Even here
Under plastic screens
Growing heated
To remind us still
How such memories
Hardly care if time
Doesn’t pass

Since lives elapse
Between words
Across this mind
Chasing freedoms
Inside that tube
Taking pictures
Which prove again
No escape.

• J. Pigno