READY or NOT: Poems from the ER

by Ken Patterson

CPR in ProgressThe call has come inThose who do the most urgent workHave called to say the wordsThat speak of the highest urgencyCPR in progressSomeone somewhere somehow has collapsedWhile eating at the Golden CorralThey thought she was chokingBut it was more than that, worse than thatThe monitor saidAnd the system is pushed into actionTo pull one back, trying to sneak acrossTrying to cross the riverWet already to the thighsThe siren screamedThey ride hot, tube in throatEpi, atropine and compressionsAnd now and then, electricityNot effective, even with feet in waterThey wheeled her inMore of the same, not a lotCan be offered to thoseWho are this far into the waterTo those so determined to crossSo, we let goAfter silent prayersAnd solemn talks with the familyThe vain effort comes to an endAnd we think, as we leave the roomWe have no power here.

148 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 2007

Reviews

[John Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, expressive, vivid poetry that connected with me deeply. Maybe I can even get the author to sign it for me