After All Poem by RIC BASTASA

today
I've seen a
dragon lady
finally in
her pitiful
state

she is
barred from
getting out
of her
great country

she is
choked and
her body is
shrinking

deteriorating
in the
hospital of
her choice

i am waiting
to hear
from someone
around me
a word of
sympathy

for hours and
hours

there is
none

alas!
when she
whispered
that she is
dying

no one
believes
her

after all
she is
the dragon

never
a lady