Second Day

January 13, 2021

One of these days

I'll turn the right way when I exit the stairwell.

I'll confidently walk down the hallway

say hello to the nurses

by name

step in —

ask the patient about his pain

while timing his breaths

and considering his medications.

I'll clearly answer his questions

with just the right tone

of concern

and reassurance.

Now

I step out of the stairwell

spin

walk in a circle

or two

fumble

as I strain to hear the murmur

my senior says he has.

I tell him

we're doing everything we can

we're here for him

and he looks at me with such

trust.

I step out

find the stairwell

feel the new weight of my stethoscope

(once my grandfather's)

around my neck.

I will do 

everything

I can to deserve it.