Jan 19th

bedside table

strewn

with pills

and pens

and pads

thermometers

and tissues

pink antacids

the hypochondriac defence

against perhaps imaginary

pains and aches

and twinges, flushes

in the night

round half past 3

that might signify

something urgent

sinister

an emergency

might require

a dash

a sudden rush

to casualty

car keys at the ready

mobile, iPad, charger, specs

medicare card

and take those rings off

and perhaps a book

oh, look

there is a pile of those

to choose from

too.

linktr.ee/janeclifton