she\'s looking better
seems to know now
how to make a smile
appear
I think she\'s getting better
we first met in her room
on a visual observation round
two weeks ago
she held a flashlight
with a long string tied to the end
looked guilty
confessed that the string
was a fascination
she was trying to release
perhaps she could run it round her neck
pull tight
pull tight
then get away
but I think
she\'s looking better now
~
she\'s been fasted for anesthesia
her pills withheld
walks slowly along the corridor beside me
not speaking
up on the trolley
a name band
no jewelry
no false teeth no nail varnish
into the theatre suite
to sleep
relax the muscles
monitor heart check breath
dab the goo onto the electrodes
go
a shudder
some twitches
go
on to recovery
recovery
~
she\'s still quiet
had a late breakfast and the morning meds
looks a little shook up
but I think
she\'s better
yes
I think she\'s a little better now
~