A gentleman
brought these clothes
in for you Grace
Nurse Kavel says
what clothes?
what gentleman?
I ask
sitting up in the bed
on the ward
new dress and underclothes
and I think he said his name
was Philip Kimberly
Nurse Kavel says
I smell perfume
and disinfect mixed
I hear voices around me
is he here?
I ask
no he brought these
in early this morning
while you were asleep
the nurse says
what colour is the dress?
I ask
red with flowers
and where he got it from
I have no idea
the cost in coupon points
must have been a lot I guess
the nurse says
where is it?
I ask
I hear her nearby
and she places a dress
in my lap
I feel it and touch
the material with my fingers
I can't see the colour
I say
what kind of red?
blood red and white flowers
she says
I put the dress to my cheek
and sense its softness
and feel the quality
is it nice?
I ask
it's beautiful
the nurse says near me
did he say when
he was coming again?
I ask
wondering what Philip
looked like how he dressed
I only knew his voice
and that was all
he will be in later
to arrange when
to take you out
although he wants to speak
with Dr Symonds first
about you and any risks
I sense doubt in her voice
will I be allowed out to dinner?
I ask
we will make sure the stumps
of your legs are well bandaged
and you are presentable
she says
what's he look like?
Mr Kimberly?
yes I've not seen him before
I say
he's handsome
and well dressed
she says softly
she takes the dress
from my hands
I’ll put the dress away
in your cupboard for safety
she says
and I hear her walk away
and lay there
staring into darkness
hearing voices in the ward
wondering where
he will take me for dinner
and how I will cope in public
without legs or sight
like walking into the coldness
of an out there night.
Jan 15, 2016
Jan 15, 2016 at 3:43 PM UTC
A gentleman
brought these clothes
in for you Grace
Nurse Kavel says
what clothes?
what gentleman?
I ask
sitting up in the bed
on the ward
new dress and underclothes
and I think he said his name
was Philip Kimberly
Nurse Kavel says
I smell perfume
and disinfect mixed
I hear voices around me
is he here?
I ask
no he brought these
in early this morning
while you were asleep
the nurse says
what colour is the dress?
I ask
red with flowers
and where he got it from
I have no idea
the cost in coupon points
must have been a lot I guess
the nurse says
where is it?
I ask
I hear her nearby
and she places a dress
in my lap
I feel it and touch
the material with my fingers
I can't see the colour
I say
what kind of red?
blood red and white flowers
she says
I put the dress to my cheek
and sense its softness
and feel the quality
is it nice?
I ask
it's beautiful
the nurse says near me
did he say when
he was coming again?
I ask
wondering what Philip
looked like how he dressed
I only knew his voice
and that was all
he will be in later
to arrange when
to take you out
although he wants to speak
with Dr Symonds first
about you and any risks
I sense doubt in her voice
will I be allowed out to dinner?
I ask
we will make sure the stumps
of your legs are well bandaged
and you are presentable
she says
what's he look like?
Mr Kimberly?
yes I've not seen him before
I say
he's handsome
and well dressed
she says softly
she takes the dress
from my hands
I’ll put the dress away
in your cupboard for safety
she says
and I hear her walk away
and lay there
staring into darkness
hearing voices in the ward
wondering where
he will take me for dinner
and how I will cope in public
without legs or sight
like walking into the coldness
of an out there night.
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