august 17, 2016

beep, beep. 

BEEEEP. 

Eyes blink open 

to see nurses and parents above me,

handing me an orange popsicle.

I savor it, smile

GRATEFUL to be alive.

Nearly unbearable to speak,

I cough out frog-like "hello"

Can I still sing? 

Melting popsicle in sticky hand, 

electrical wires who knows where, 

nose plugged with oxygen cannulae, 

a big inhale through my mouth, 

I croak out pieces of Puccini’s Tosca:

Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore!  I lived for art! I lived for love!

I am opera diva Maria Callas

Spirited orange syrup saturates my hospital gown.

Oh, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive.