Hospital, Hospital Poem by Kevin Patrick

Take up a number and have a seat while you wait
It shouldn’t be long, just an hour (or eight)
If you’re internally bleeding then you can be moved
The nurses will leave you in the hallways exhumed

Fetch aid or relief for Third degree burns
And you will be met with Indifferent concerns
A blood clot, short breath or sprained ligaments
Might get you access if your high on insurance

Just sit sterilely waiting for your turn in the line
Testing your patience with unendurable pride
Just listen to the PA when your number is up
Though nothing you do will get your waiting time cut


And if you get treatment be cautious of verdicts
You might find the doctor will see you as vermin
For they work overtime, in their sleep for more pay
So Diagnosis malpractice no evidence to betray



Hospitals, hospitals how utterly inhospitable
Unless you’ve got platinum then you are incurable
Don’t expect access to the quality of life
When you cannot afford the Hippocratic price


Breakdowns are fines for the rich who can pay
In Alimony for Shrinks and drugs that are first rate
you can secure bought affection and Material sympathy
when you’re stars riding high with a Hollywood salary

Expect septic assistance from doctors and staff
When you’re just a consumer their job is to patch
Feeling terminal trauma and neural Convulsions?
Just take up some Paxil and think good vibrations

Get Backroom salvation, from underpaid social aid
Fulfilling mandates for the politicians crusade
Try the hand me down treatment, for physiotherapy
Or Stock up on discounts for your kids chemotherapy

Ask the organ receiver waiting 6 months for surgery
And you’ll find their a number detailed quite cursorily
General names on a chart, in the order of a spiral
Say “Whose next to fall? In this surrealist revival



Hospitals, Hospital leave me with your service
It’s a one way trip to a mortuaries furnace
Admissions are half price if you have patience
For purgatories hospice is timed and more spacious