Examination

The doctor pats
the paper sheet
that covers the bed
asks you to undress
then steps out
for the sake of modesty, for a cup
of coffee, who knows

you sit on this bed
feel a little like
a fresh ground hamburger
bones, gristle, muscle all
of it ground together
so you try to sit up straight
and look around
at the laminated posters
of the inner ear
rub your arms with your hands
wonder how many people
have sat here
replaced when they are gone with fresh paper

the knock at the door
never fails to scare you then
feeling suddenly guilty
for your fascination
with the otoscope that looks like
it could be from the early '70s
and your skin purses up
like something's trying to escape
from it

the cold stethoscope
doesn't help matters
and the doctor asks you to breath
deeply, in and out, then a deep
breath, hold this one
and now breath
normally why
is this
suddenly so difficult
to do?