negative results

the test results come back
electronically,

all negative.

it seems i'll live another day
or two.

years, perhaps. so i'm pleased
with that.

but the doc wants me to come in
for a visit,
a friendly
take your shirt,
your pants and shoes too,
a medical chat.

I put her off. I make up
one lame excuse after another.

it's separating sock night,
I tell her.
you have no idea how many pairs
of socks I have.

and I play bingo
on Tuesdays.
yes all day. Wednesday I
go to the movies,
and again, all day.

and Friday, well, it's fish day,
so I have a lot of scaling
and deboning to do.

she shakes her head in her
return email. my oh my she writes.
you're a grown man,
but in reality a true
scared e cat.

you need to come in and see me,
STAT.

okay, okay, I tell her.
i'll take care of it,
keep your stethoscope on,
don't lose
your hat.