the doctor is in

you have all the symptoms
of a dozen diseases.
dry mouth, thirst,
frequent urination,
sweating and blurred vision.
your feet tingle.
you might have a week or
less to live.
you've verified each ailment
on a variety of
websites.
each one more frightening
and believable than
the next.
you buy a blood pressure
machine for your wrist,
and pray for low numbers,
a tester
for blood to prick your
skin, you put
a thermometer into
your mouth and count your
heart beats, listening
for a murmur
with a stethoscope,
the doctor is in, and you
are him. it's not good
you tell yourself.
but it's been a good run.