ER@1AM
Headlights, blinding at eye level
on an ambulance discharging
it’s charge in the ER drop-off,
greet us as we arrive, midnight
an hour behind us in the night.
My own charge is discharged,
and I park fifty feet away before
walking inside. One visitor allowed,
but exceptions exist, and I am one.
This late, no one seems to mind.
Waiting room to myself, except for
Marv Albert calling a replay of
a playoff game, 76ers making moves
no one in ER can expect to make
any time soon, as I wait patiently.
Patients trickle in, and I try to ignore
a game that’s already been won
as the Wizards take the lead.
The trick here is to tune out
the game and others now waiting.
My charge is discharged @ 3AM,
with no basketball in the future,
as the Sixers win a game they won
hours ago. We head out into the night,
with no wish for a replay of the night.
rivrvlogr 
That connects for me in the tuning out, not replaying.
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Thanks, Paul. It seemed surreal to watch a game, when I’d already heard the final score on the radio.
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Yes, and for me a reminder of how culture plays on that – constantly repeating and inviting us to live in a past, well as I see it anyway.
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I hope everyone is OK, Ken. An ER is always a scary place to be, especially at 1 AM.
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Thank you, Merril. It was quiet enough, but there was a steady flow of intakes. With just two hours, in and out, a guess after-midnight on a Sunday night is the time to be there.
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Yes, I suppose so. 😀 Our local ER, which has recently closed and everything moved to a farther away county location, was very quiet when I was there after midnight. I think city hospitals though are seldom quiet.
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This may be the state capital, but it’s a small town in a county of 75K population, so there are two hospitals, although major cases are sent to a university hospital 30 miles away. I’d guess late Sunday night might be quiet, but I’m sure ERs can be unpredictable.
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Yes–true. An emergency can happen any time and any place.
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Hard to click “Like” for this subject matter, Ken; though the work itself, and the tale unfolding is captivating, esp to those who’ve been there, of which I am one. Positive vibes coming your way, & thanks for sharing. I hope that doing so lightened. Rest up.
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Thanks, Ron. A late-night work injury to my stepdaughter meant a short stint of night duty for me, but everyone has rested comfortably.
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Glad you had only 2 hours waiting … ER is another world … your tale ends well (whew!)
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Thank you, Jazz. Yes, two short hours was a blessing, but the poem wrote itself as I sat there. I felt bad watching out the window so I could catch a photo of the next ambulance to arrive, but there did not seem to be any frenzied activity while I was there.
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Hope all is well!
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Thank you, Barb. The patient is home and resting after a late night work injury. My wife took the call at midnight, and, of course, a mother doesn’t hesitate…
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Pingback: Silently Waiting ~ haibun | rivrvlogr
ER during a pandemic is even less ‘fun’ than it was before — I spent a lonely 6 hours at our local one (we call them A&E) last November. Wish I’d written a poem!
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Composing while waiting can be a nice distraction. Thank you. 🙂
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I’ve had way too many experiences with ERs, though my last was relatively quiet. Lots of waiting, every time. ( k)
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This wait was shorter than most. I’m glad it was a quiet night, ER-wise.
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I hope your stepdaughter is healing up quickly, Ken. There’s indeed something surreal about ER waiting rooms and whatever happens to be on their t.v.’s while you’re sitting there…waiting. Good job expressing that!
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