lasting memory
 
translucent white paper sheets on pink vinyl cradle
her back, upward, legs jackknifed, cold toes
seizing oven mitts.  relax.  breathe.  surgical steel
pushes pink flesh aside.  wrong size. replace it.
muscles tense and nerves expire. tears. 
 
it'll be all right.
 
machinery she can't see glides across the room.
they are connected.  the metal brace pushed inside
joins them, vacuum and woman.  the nurse holds
her hand and wipes her tears.
 
intense pressure ruptures the protective sac
inside.  drains the bloating.  two minutes. 
 
crimson stains the translucent sheets.


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