One Route

Quiet night in the ER.
Shhh, says the receptionist.
Don’t say quiet. You’ll jinx it.

We have a room for you now,
But one always has to choose
A route. Look up from your book

And shuffle behind your guide.
Vitals, visit from the doc,
Initial strategy talk,

Meet the team, access the port,
Chat about priors and pain.
Dilaudid. Next up, the scan.

Midnight rolls around, gurney
Parading the quiet route.