The Waiting Room

By Dr. Michelle R. LaFlamme

Alfoce Center, the block lettering

On the Wall

Where I used to work

In my long white coat

Not that long ago

I saw MY patient there, waiting

Now I sit with trepidation

Cold and tired

Arms akimbo

Afraid to ask for a blanket

Which I used to GIVE

and I spied them in their shinny warmer

Unreachable

Arms up, another scan

The Donut of Truth

That's what we called it

When I was in charge

I peered down the hall

Saw my old colleagues working

They seemed far and hazy

And I couldn't reach them even in thought

AS I hit the EXIT button

And drifted away

I realized the line between doctor and patient

Is obscure

And that

I loathe the Waiting Room.