Walking the Green Mile Sonnet

Author: Alysa Cummings

Copyright © 2002 Alysa Cummings

The first case of the day has the challenge
Of walking the green mile. No gurney. No
Wheelchair. Just a friendly stroll pushing an
I.V. pole down a dark hallway chilled to
Subzero temperature. It feels like the
Last mile, but there's no electric chair, just
A narrow table. Masks and gloves. MDs
And RNs. A flying saucer of lights
Overhead. I enter and all eyes turn
My way. It's awkward, dramatic even,
This cold, prime time staged scene in the O.R.
I feel so compelled to warm up the room,
That I joke, now that the guest of honor
Is here, I guess this party can begin.

Alysa Cummings

Related Blog Posts

December 8, 2023

The Gift of Time

by Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN

July 14, 2023

Feeding the Gut

by OncoLink Team

April 4, 2023

Bringing a Piece of Home to the Hospital

by Christina Bach, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C