physical empathy
there was a problem with my shoulder
but the x-rays contradicted my word
and when the good doctor pressed here
and prodded there I responded
I could feel no discomfort
my parting orders included the words
‘acute pain’ and it was then I realized
the health system can be like a chameleon
and so I made an appointment with a
physical therapist and she
easily found my trouble spots
exposing them as true weaknesses
addressing and describing them in such a way
that left me smiling and nodding my head
as time went by I assured her
exercises and effort were making a difference
but I sensed she thought otherwise
and though she never called me a liar
she nonchalantly explained how the pain
in my shoulder would never go away
much like the weight placed upon this world
october two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
