ward

ivory skin against off white hospital sheets

arms bent sideways like broken tree twigs

patients cling to a life that does not exist

stitches aged from where they had tried

to escape their bodies

and reassmble what was torn

shoes squeak back and forth

in the hallway behind the doors

a reminder by jingle

of where they should rather be

although outside evokes fear

the desire will expand inside them

unfeeling tears swim to meet pink lips

they taste like pennies