'Code Blue' Poem by Peter J White

From Hospital Hill, the city lay dumb,
Dawn impregnated, wreathed in mist.
“Choose Life! ”its copper-clad acropolis
Constrained, “Your hour is not yet come.”
“Choose Peace! ” smirked Death, conning me with adamantine claw
To play a hand of dice,
“Winner takes all! ”
I covered my face.

An hour before our banshee wail had scattered sleep;
Split absent-minded traffic to the bone. “Five four
Over three zero. ” Intoned the paramedic, nonchalant,
By radio. My blood pressure could it be?
What affirmation then, what hope, what guarantee
I’d raise my boys to sing
Their own song; or see
Their rough-hewn blossoming.

Six days and nights I fought Despair, grim undertaker
Of mankind. “Nurse, I’m dying” low, into the dark.
“Not so! ” she fiercely answered back,
“God’s love is with you always. See!
The charts confirm His covenant.” Breath by tortured breath
Nearby lay Pastor John
A heartbeat from death
Riding the same, satanical storm.

Too weak for words; a wave, we smiled goodbye,
Myself to new hope, a better place I shared
With sun and sky. He died; my life was spared
By God’s gracious hand. Why mine?
A flower fades, a sparrow falls; “Code Blue! Code Blue! ”
‘Send not to know
For whom the bell tolls.
It tolls for you.’