Alan L. Winters

ROYAL PAIN IN THE _ _ _ _

The surgeon, like the Pied Piper,
Led his residents in tow
And spoke to them in monotones
As if his children didn’t know.
Several syllables of a single word
Rolled past his lips and trailed behind
To be picked apart by eager hearts
Or slip away past slippery minds.
And around the corner and down the hall
He led his brood past sterile walls.
At last our eyes met once again
And I saw him as a king
And they, his loyal servants.
And I heard him only briefly as he whisked them quickly by
“This is an average bypass. Nothing special”

I sigh.

Alas, the truth is clear. Alas, the pain it brings.
To be spoken to in terms of C.A.B.G.s by kings.

Author’s Note: CABG for those unaware stands for coronary artery bypass graft. The doctor has since retired and now sells used cars in New Jersey