a stethoscope case
my doctor has just come into his office
from surgery.
he meets me in the men’s john.
“God damn,” he says to me,
“where did you find her? oh, I just like
to look at girls like that!”
I tell him: “it’s my specialty: cement
hearts and beautiful bodies. If you can find
a heart-beat, let me know.”
“I’ll take good care of her,” he says.
“yes, and please remember all the ethical
codes of your honorable profession,” I tell
him.
he zips up first then washes.
“how’s your health?” he asks.
“physically I’m sound as a tic. mentally I’m
wasted, doomed, on my tiny cross, all that
crap.”
“I’ll take good care of her.”
“yes. and let me know about the heart-beat.”
he walks out.
I finish, zip up and also walk out.
only I don’t wash up.
I’m far beyond all that.
Other works by Charles Bukowski...
