Quiet Hours Passing

Michael Lee Johnson

You rest

in this empty hospital room.

Your repetitious words, spoken to yourself, stumble over one another.

Everything is in holes and pieces.

The strange ear-ringing sounds of silence

broken by occasional voices in the hall-

the shadows pushing the lights

around like street bullies-

the sparse furniture all changed, each strange piece

placed differently than you would have it at home.

But you're not at home, you're

in this empty hospital room, resting.

Everything is in holes and pieces.