THAT WORD

THAT WORD


WHEN THE DOCTOR FIRST SAID THAT WORD
IT WAS AS IF THE WORLD HAD STOPPED

A CLICHÉ MOST TIMES
EXCEPT WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU

BUT IT ONLY HAPPENS TO YOU

ALL AROUND YOU
EVERYONE ELSE
WAS GOING ON
WITH THEIR JOURNEYS
ONE OF WHICH WAS THE DOCTOR'S TASK
OF TELLING ME
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME

 AS HE SPOKE
A DIFFERENT DIRECTION
WAS GIVEN TO MY JOURNEY

NO TRAVELING
IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE
AT THIS TIME

WE NEED THE FOLLOWING TESTS
DONE IMMEDIATELY
TILL A WEEK OF TESTS
HAD GONE BY
WHICH WHEN READ
REQUIRED MORE TESTS
A BIOPSY
 A SHUNT INSTALLED

IT'S ALL DONE NOW
 I SIT NOW
AS IF BEFORE A MAGIC CUP
CHALICE
GRAIL
A MAGIC CUP OF HEALING POISON

IT REMINDS ME OF GRACE
DESTROYING SIN
BUT NOT THE SINNER

DESTROYING A PART OF ME
TO LEAVE ME WHOLE

THIS IS NOT THE CUP
THAT I WOULD CHOOSE TO DRINK

IF I COULD
I WOULD SAY
FATHER TAKE THIS CUP

BUT THIS CUP IS A NECESSARY ONE
THAT I MUST DRINK

I FEEL LIKE PETER
WHEN JESUS SAID
SOMEONE ELSE WILL DRESS
AND LEAD YOU

SHELTER ME AS I DRINK THIS POTION
SURELY YOUR GOODNESS
AND KINDNESS
HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WITH ME
I REST IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
LIKE BABY BIRD
BEING FED BY ITS MOTHER

FRANK A VOLLMER