trading places

a little thing really
not enough to call it an incident
at work last week

got up to call
the next patient in
constantly aware of the tick
of the clock of competence and
efficiency, omniscient
and unforgiving

he came in with the easy stride
of those who age gracefully
and sat down in my chair
not knowing, of course
that there were rules
unwritten but observed, nonetheless

I did not feel
particularly inclined
to trade places
he looked so comfortable
easing back in his (my?) chair
gently leaning on my jacket

I carried on as if
this is how things have always been
but could not help wondering
why my (his?) chair
did not feel as comfortable

We talk about modern medicine
with its non-paternalistic care
but still provide the patient
with a less comfortable chair!

My magic shoulder

Three heads
of varying sizes
and some with attitude
find a roost on my shoulder

and yet
they all seem to fit
perfectly

Wow!
I must have
a magic shoulder...