Precious

by Ruja Parikh

Precious are seconds in a hospital.

To the patient

awaiting return to her own bed

To the doctor

running

running

running the list

To the student

reading & reeling

preparing, steeling

To her family

fingers curled around her wrist.

A noise that feels familiar?

a Roar.

a Buzz.

Filling the ears & crowding the thoughts

ringing & beeping,

defeating,

loss.

Volume creeping louder with every...

fresh sorrow

new to-do

moment borrowed...

Precious is silence in the hospital.

a chair turned, her story shared

the roar softens

in a common reflection, saved for later

Pen to paper

the buzz dims