The Appointment

 

He’s here to find relief

from the incessant pain in his back.

Not a cure…

…just relief.

The radiation’ll do that.

It helps him;

gives him relief.

Sitting in a reclined position

also helps.

Not a lot…

…but enough,

so it’s good

the chairs’ll do that

during treatment.

It helps him tremendously,

unlike the

cold

hard

flat

metal table

he has to stretch and twist his body out on

then lay perfectly still

while they scan him.

He says, “Now, that’s pretty tough”

and for him to use those words

means sheer agony to the rest of us.

The nurse calls him back.

An expression of anticipation and hope

for the relief he’ll get in a few minutes

spreads across his face

until

she tells him

today will be a scan instead.