End Notes
patient
by Kim Dippo, M.D.
patient
did you see
those forbidden
tears in my
dampened eyes
looking like
a drenched cloth
I tried so hard
to wring
the wetness out
patient
you know
this desk
of solid oak
does not
protect me
as well as
you may think
It cannot block your
pain
keep your
misery
from catching me
no matter
how fast
my heart may run
or where
my emotions
may try to hide
patient
you say being
in the hospital
is simply unbearable
“I know”
escapes from
between my lips
regretfully
because I must
tell you to stay longer
as if a prisoner
patient
would you
believe me
If I told you
of my past
and how
the teachings
of those I once
called mentors
were to always
remain objective
one hundred percent
divorced inside
and outside
patient
my old
therapist
told me once
that I
over
identify
with
those who
suffer like you
I just laughed
nervously
thinking
how I never was any good
at the game of
dodgeball
Kim Dippo was a staff member at the University of Minnesota’s Boynton Health Service. She is deceased.