Emergency Room Wait

 

My friend is ill

911 brought screaming sirens

To their door

I followed with his in my car

 

My friend is ill

His wife wept all way

His meds, his pills, hers

Clasped to her breast in a canvas bag

 

My friend is ill

I gave his wife my sweater

I left her there in the

cold emergency room, to wait with him

 

My friend is ill

I told her to call when ready

to come home. Since the day our son

died in an emergency room, I cannot wait in one.