ER
in that
bright blinding
emergency room
i watched a nurse and doctor
go through the motions
as if they were treating
a leper
they did not hide
their disgust
the woman could not sit up
or cuss without slurring
but the black eye
and the stench of alcohol
needed no explanation
it was just another night
in the ER
for those on duty
i never said a word
i just stood there invisible
and quietly shut the door
inside myself
there was school
the next day
i had to put on my face
for school
TL