Un-Clearance

Un-Clearance
Marc Borenstein, MD

handcuffed

hands behind your back

brain cracked

I’m here

to examine

your body

seems well

no fever, no cough

you need to be cleared

from being a danger

to yourself and others

insane

sick of it sick eyes

stare straight

into a crooked world

bent towards me

just enough

to connect

in a moment of humanity

I thought I knew you

and that we had met

some years ago

in a dimly lit corner

of the world

I speak your name

may I listen

to your heart

rhythm and beat

and breaths of air

transmitted to my ears

in my mind

I recalled

depression, suicide, and PTSD

in my family

I looked past him

and stared straight

into a crooked world

bent towards me

just enough

to say

your heart sounds fine

thank you

he’s cleared

*Used with permission.

Dr. Borenstein accepts his award for his poem, “Un-Clearance,” from Dr. Balhara, section chair.