six months, no less

let's take another look,
the young doctor says, telling
you to lie still
while they take an x-ray of your chest.
what was her name,
he says, staring at the black
and white chalked
negatives. there's
a crack across your heart,
a fissure,
right there, he says
holding the photo up to
the light. the old ones have
healed, but this one looks fresh.
may I suggest, and i know
it will be difficult,
but you need to rest.
be alone for awhile. just you.
six months, no less.