Lawrence Hall
Mhall46184@aol.com  
https://hellopoetry.com/lawrence-hall/
poeticdrivel.blogspot.com

On the Occasion of Being Scanned by an Electro-Mechanical Device

The room is softly lit, like a Star Trek Set
Mostly pale, indirect blues, occasional pinks
A large circle, like a mechanical god
Appears to be a portal spinning through time

DO NOT LOOK INTO THE RED LIGHT

The machine slides me into itself
And commands me in a soothing plastic voice
“Take a deep breath and hold it.”
[Pause]

DO NOT LOOK INTO THE RED LIGHT

“Breathe normally.”
[Pause]
“Take a deep breath and hold it.”
[Pause]

“Breath normally.”

DO NOT LOOK INTO THE RED LIGHT

But breathe

Breathe