When Nurses Beckon Damn birthdays, my friend said As doctors and nurses hovered Behind closed doors and

examined Patients. We waited in the waiting room; Laugh, he said; I didnt and watched A young mother wipe her daughters Nose. Theres a skill I lack I mentioned; My friend ignored my need for stupid Conversation. His mind, I suppose, Fastened itself to the mid February Birthday blues. I waited for a nurse To beckon me so she could poke and prod, Search out a good, blood filled vein, Another test to check the condition Of my livers condition, another exam To check my middle age safekeeping; damn Birthdays, my friend repeated. I thumbed Through a copy Of WebMD. I didnt want to listen To his refrain, but the cover warned of prostate Troubles. More blood, a nurse will long to draw From me, and after the nurse steals my blood, Shell remind me of an overdue colonoscopy; My friend hit upon another chord: In a week wed both turn fifty-six, A damn coincidence, and then he asked If that wasnt the age when my father died-A fact I could not push away, no matter how I tried.