The Waiting Room

Alone in the doctor's office.

Muffled voices intrude in the hall.

Loudly the clock ticks;

 the red second hand jumps from one to two.

A nurse enters, takes my blood pressure,

lists symptoms, and leaves the room.

The clock ticks on...

Counting breaths lasts but a minute.

The clock ticks on...

Thoughts flit by.

The clock ticks on...

My iPhone has no messages.

The clock ticks on...

I remember  the interminable waiting,

 in the emergency room with a sick husband.

The diagnosis could have been different.

The clock ticks on...

Finally, the doctor removes the tissue for the biopsy

The clock ticks on...

He comes back in the room.

"Negative, " he says.

With a barely noticeable sigh,

I leave the room and close the door.

I must remember to stop at the store next door.