They are old and they are tired, pale
passive and listless. Waiting, they wait
to hear their names called. First names
only, called by attendants young enough
to be their grandchildren. There is no
formality, no dignity offered the elderly
merely faceless patients awaiting judgement.
The kind of diagnosis and analysis of
blood tests that will affirm or deny their
few years left and possibly many among
them are prepared to finally leave though
they feel an obligation to life to endure.
They sit in waiting rooms, waiting. It is
not they who scan iphones and play games
as they wait. They look inward and scan
their memories of times and events and
people long passed. For them there is no
diversion from tedium nor do they care
although they do vaguely deplore the
messages posted along endless corridors
and waiting rooms in various hospital
departments advising patients to kindly
be patient and while waiting please refrain
from abusing the staff, or one another.
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