Blue Room Reflections

Across the Oncology Day Ward corridor, A patient, handcuffed-chained To a Garda, Along with another Garda (Two of them to one of him) I told you all of humanity is here, We non-prisoners And prisoners alike. The cancer doesn't really care If your address is "The Joy" (Mountjoy Prison) All of us here, Waiting for the clear liquid, Like we four In this blue treatment-chaired room, Waiting for it To be whispered into us. ............ But Mom isn't here; She knows though, She knows. But then she is here With that spoon (from an earlier poem): In it, the crushed "St Joseph's Aspirin for Children", Mixed with sugar And warm water Waiting to whisper it into me. She's here Just in case, Just in case. She knows, though, That her four year old, Seventy-two years later, Is in good hands. She smiles (But with spoon in hand - Just in case).