Sister Morphine
by Jean Varda


she came to a peak of pain
twisted nerves tendons muscles
a fire smoldering in her bones
sister morphine arrived like an
angel loosening the aching tight
bands that held her caressing
her with the mercy of relief
wrapping her in warm blankets
letting her go into light floating sleep
sister morphine was there in the
nurse’s face in between the glow
of fluorescent lights she patiently
waited in a green meadow
breathing clear cool air through
the oxygen tubing over and over
till the pain disappeared






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