For SLB, MD
At 77, blood pressure is no longer
A whimsical abstraction,
Something to be humored with a handful
Of pills, and an irresolute debate
Contrasting the merits
Of an apple
With a salty slice of smoky bacon.
This insight exploded
When that old BP
Punched out the retina.
Of my left eye
By quietly bursting
An artery.
The attractive ophthalmologist
(I could still notice that)
Regretted the damage
Was permanent,
But offered some solace:
“It could have been much worse.”
As I struggle with these simple words,
Their force and precision,
I find I need
Still another pill
To suppress
Still another
Baleful
Anxiety.
(6/6/07)