A Poem, During This Time of Covid

As a former RN and health educator, this piece struck me. I had to share it. It’s a bold piece of writing. It’s a warning. It’s medical. For some readers, it’s amazing. So, hang on.

And if this is too intense, hug a loved one, wear a mask and please get vaccinated or get your booster.

Written by Laura Kolbe  She is an American poet whose debut collection, “Little Pharma” was published by the Universality of Pittsburg Press. 2021  This was Published in the New York Times 

NOTE: History and Etymology for abecedary; Noun Middle English abscedary, borrowed from Medieval Latin abecedārium “alphabet, primer,” derived from neuter of Late Latin abecedārius “alphabetical,” from the names of the letters a + b + c + d + Latin -ārius

BURIED ABECEDARY for INTENSIVE CARE

It’s called an awakening trial when the pleasanter drugs stop.

It’s called bucking when the lungs and vent jam wing against each other.

It’s called clubbing when the fingernails thicken to spoons from lack of oxygen.

It’s called drug fever when no one knows why.

It’s called elevation when the eyes can see where the feet should be.

It’s called fasting when radiology foretells like a speaking goat on the blood-blue mountain.

It’s called gunk when they suction the trach.

It’s called hipaa when no one tells.

It’s called inspiration just before the triggered cough.

It’s called jaw thrust when the head is prepared for the macintosh blade.

It’s called kin when they don’t shy speechless from the gunk.

And when they do, it’s called labored when breath outmoans machines.

It’s called manual blood pressure when you hope the machine lied.

It’s called nitroprusside when the body is flushed like a cinema.

It’s called octreotide when the blood untucks the napkin of the diner.

It’s called a pan scan when the body won’t tell.

It’s called a query when the insurer and the bank won’t tell.

Called resuscitation but it isn’t.

Called shock when it started as resuscitation.

Called trendelenburg when the feet are in the air.

Called underventilation when the gas is more like the future planet’s.

Called the vagus nerve when touching the neck makes the rhythm stop.

Called weaning when the fentanyl hangs salivary at the chin of the bed.

Called xeroform when the gauze smells like gin and tonic.

Called you when it’s a question of error.

Called zeroing out when they reset the machines for the next body.  

THANKS FOR READING, Please Wear a Mask and Get Vaccinated. 

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