Surgery

Feeling first irritation about the missed breakfast.

Surely a major hospital could provide a snack.

But after all plenty of free coffee,

And something else – A truce,

Perhaps not exactly love, but a cessation of hostilities

In a difficult marriage,

With a kiss for a sendoff,

And at last she seemed to put aside her daily cares.

I wondered if she’d be in the same room for her foot

As I had been for my knee a few months ago.

Worried for the 100^th time that she wouldn’t take her pain pills

And would suffer both real and unnecessary pain.

And then talking to the man beside me.

His son was having eye surgery

On the second eye

For the third time

Complicated by diabetes

20 years ago blindness for sure.

And wondering what I could say about God’s justice and mercy

Why things happen as they do.

And knowing of course that I couldn’t really say anything.