Parts is parts

For Lent I determined to take better care of myself.  No fast food.  Catch-up on such things as a physical.  The physical means three appointments (family practice doctor, OB-Gyne, mammogram).   I am one-third done.  So far I know my heart is beating, my pulse is ok, my blood pressure is in normal range.  Why they take the blood AFTER the physical is beyond me.  I used to be married to a med student, who went on to specialize in head and neck surgery. I remember him practicing tying his knots one-handed at the dining room table.   He*s at NIH now.  I am a generalist in the western suburbs, a priest/counselor/poet who prefers to tie everything together as best she can.  I am one-third of the way through my physical.  

It is still Lent.

They have lopped off

More of me.

They send the parts

To the specialists.

Does someone really go to med school

To listen to lungs,

To check reflexes,

To say:  You have the flu,

Rest,

Drink water,

Stay home so you won*t infect

Anyone else?

There must be more information

Inside those heads.

There has to be

So much unused information.

My woman parts are divided off

To special woman doctors.

A yearly physical does not mean

One doctor visit

But really three.

My parts have been auctioned off

To the highest bidder.

Today I am one-third done.

I have phone numbers in my pocket

To schedule the rest.