MRI by Elise Hempel

MRI

Inside this tunnel, still and prone,
so enclosed and so alone,

I’m waiting in a well-lit tomb
or a cold and arid womb,

about to be, or done and was,
on hold to Muzak, this jack-hammered buzz

and now a ray-gun’s droning song.
Without my watch, can’t tell how long –

nine months, a flickering moment? – I’ve been
paused here in this in-between….

When my timeless time inside
is over and they slowly slide

the lid away, will I go forth
into Heaven or onto Earth?

They’ll be the same, my welcoming crowd,
but what will rock me – arms or cloud,

and will my voice be cry or mute?
Held tight, or released, will I float

into After or out of Before?
Either way, alone no more.

by Elise Hempel

Editor’s Note: This poem uses repetition and rhyme to convey the sense of confinement (both physical and mental) found within an unfortunately necessary medical device.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Archives

Categories

Search

©2006—2023 Autumn Sky Poetry DAILY — Privacy Policy

%d bloggers like this: