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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
REPORT FROM THE HOSPITAL, by WISLAWA SZYMBORSKA Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: We used matches to draw lots; who would visit him Subject(s): Hospitals; Death; Dead, The | |||
We used matches to draw lots; who would visit him. And I lost. I got up from our table. Visiting hours were just about to start. When I said hello he didn't say a word. I tried to take his hand--he pulled it back like a hungry dog that won't give up his bone. He seemed embarrassed about dying. What do you say to someone like that? Our eyes never met, like in a faked photograph. He didn't care if I stayed or left. He didn't ask about anyone from our table. Not you, Barry. Or you, Larry. Or you, Harry. My head started aching. Who's dying on whom? I went on about modern medicine and the three violets in a jar. I talked about the sun and faded out. It's a good thing they have stairs to run down. It's a good thing they have gets to let you out. It's a good thing you're all waiting at our table. The hospital smell makes me sick. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND ON DEATH, WITHOUT EXAGGERATION by WISLAWA SZYMBORSKA |
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