The Center

On the morning following his first clinical trial of
Bloblinculous intertoxin serum, Sir Doctor General
Andrew Reginald Harvey IX awoke to find that
Everything he saw was upside down. After furiously

Eating a bowl of his favorite Cheerios, he did what
Any sensible doctor-turned-patient would do: he
Picked up his iPhone 42.3xB, and immediately
Called The Center. Dr. Blotheby was out for lunch,

Dr. Richardson was pouring gravy, Dr. Blimbly was
Yelling at residents, and Dr. Symeon was studiously
Shaving; while all of Dermatology, Gastroenterology,
And Hematopathology were on their computers and

Unavailable for comment. Unable to hail a cab, he
Walked briskly (and with purpose) to The Center.
Espying a homeless man begging on Lexington,
This sight pained him, yet he knew not why. Forthwith,

He passed a homeless girl, who wept and pleaded
Most piteously; this also rent his heart, yet he knew
Not why. Continuing on his way, he passed a young
Homeless couple – to his horror this caused him to

Be overwhelmed with grief – yet he could find no
Explanation for these perturbations of the brain.
Immediately calling The Center, he raged against
The assistant Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology

Secretary: “How dare you make me see the world in
Pain and undrawn gray; the day is now enshrouded
In night, the dawn a painful calling!”

David Penner’s articles on politics and health care have appeared in Dissident Voice, CounterPunch, Global Research, The Saker blog, OffGuardian and KevinMD; while his poetry can be found at Dissident Voice, Mad in America, and redtailedhawk.substack.com. Also a photographer, he is the author of three books of portraiture: Faces of The New Economy, Faces of Manhattan Island, and Manhattan Pairs. He can be reached at 321davidadam@gmail.com. Read other articles by David.