he asks about the book I’m reading
I tell him
it’s the kind of poetry
that takes the small often
overlooked details
and makes from them
something extraordinary
he lowers his stethoscope
takes the book
then sits down to read
I study
wall charts
red and blue with diagrams
of the cardiovascular system
he says this man is wonderful
I offer him the book
that’s a very kind gesture now
let’s see
about the pressure of your blood