by Robert Bernstein

Created on: February 10, 2007   Last Updated: December 09, 2008

The Tumor

Beep
the sound of a monitor
calming
consistent
continuing on,
comforting

Fear
a needle and burning
blurry
confusion
a short breath
pause

Blue
cloth then paper
plastic
cover
thick and cold
hiding

Liquid
flowing like molasses
red
brilliant
slips away,
silencing

Moist
warming the fingers
slippery
soft
beating with life,
heavy

Hard
crevassed and otherworldly
foul
formidable
rubbery and frightening
disheartening

Lift
buzz and burn
bitter
sulfuric
divide without conquer
acrid

Stitch
rote and repetitive
pulling
tying
sharp with points
cutting

Cover
crack a vial
dab
tape
cover in white
pressure

Gag
pull the tube
cough
saliva
lift and thrust
mask

Move
lift and tilt
sheet
roller
pull and push
rail

Scribble
vitals and meds
diet
temperature
ins and outs
catheter

Telling
Fear with desire
holding
crying
hug and shake
retreat

Alone
numb and staring
aching
throbbing
lift the phone
recite

Home
creep and change
dark
snoring
fading light
silent

Stillness

Learn more about this author, Robert Bernstein.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.