Splayed on his back
the examination continuing
not much dignity
being a living corpse.
He wonders how
they overcame innate revulsion
to the writhing mass
of pus and purulent sores.
The moment takes his
last measure of humanity
as he tries to cover
his privates publicly.
But the nurse brushes
away his futile gesture
to remain somewhat
presentable.
The examination continues
the viewers curious
about the signs of pox
but not his name.
The doctor points out
some feature anomalous
quite rare and pathological
he feels a grotesque.
And he thinks
for a moment,
I was once just like them
dressed in their hospital best.
6/29/02
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