the doctor's appointment

the young doctor

tells me, as i sit in the chair

in his office,

that he's trying to lose

weight,

get his blood pressure down,

trying to get his 

A1C to a healthy level.

i make out a food pyramid

for him to follow.

less carbs, more protein.

nothing in a box or bag.

i advise him to stop smoking,

get rid of the chips and cokes

and cake,

and to start exercising, walking

during the day,

getting a good nights sleep

is important,

and not staying up

late staring into a screen.

get some sunlight, i tell him.

you look like Casper

the ghost, with that translucent

skin.

okay, okay. he says.

thanks for coming in.

alright i tell him, standing up,

let's check your labs in three

months and see were we are.

okay?

and try to curb your drinking,

i tell him.

i can smell the whiskey on you.

here, here's a mint.