the physician

the doctor
leans over her patient
and listens to
his heart.
her hand so close
to what keeps the body
alive. she
takes his temperature
his blood pressure,
says open wide.
she peers and probes,
she listens
but she isn't there.
her thoughts
are elsewhere.
she remembers Paris.
she remembers
lights. how strong
the coffee was,
the bread so soft
upon her lips.
she remembers a time
so long
ago. it was all love
and laughter then,
a tear falls
upon the chart
of the man who sits
before her.
he takes her trembling
hand and says, my dear,
my dear,
are you alright?