For you, Anne

can you imagine
the lady in the silk shirt says

if this passes there could be a
six to twelve month wait
for MRI's

the man with the bow-tie
across the table
comes to life

that's horrifying he says
where do they think this money comes from
and there has to be some accountability

a couple of sages share a nod

bankers you see
know about money and responsibility
unlike my cousin

a twenty year old with a three year old
no wedlock
a job at Wal-Mart
and asthma

raised in a declining series
from house to apartment
to trailer

told she was emotionally retarded
at the age of three
now in charge of her own family

her boyfriend couldn't drive
but he wasn't trying to leave
her or their daughter

this young couple
one night on the highway
trying to reach the hospital

the asthma so bad
she couldn't breathe
and he

couldn't drive