triage

you should have that checked
out, she says,
pointing at a spot on my shoulder.
oh, there's
another one.
right there on your back.
does it itch?
it looks suspicious.
i'd have that looked at.
she says, examining my skin
with a fine
tooth comb.
she puts her stethoscope
on my chest and tells me to
inhale, exhale.
oh my she says. do you hear
that?
it's a strange wheezing sound.
she looks in my ear for wax.
tells me to look into the light
as she moves her hand
back and forth.
i show her my jammed finger,
the blue
bruise on the knuckle,
then point to my knees
as i slowly unfold them
and make them crack.
we need a stretcher for you,
she says,
stat.