She asked, “Can I ask a personal question?”

I stared at her, not caving to deflection

“About your blood pressure,” I continued

“Let’s give it another measure

160 over 90

That reminds me – take these handouts

Check your pressure at home three times a week

Write the numbers down and bring your log back so next time we don’t doubt

Yeah you feel fine

But I’ve seen a lot of people like you dyin;”

She asked me with a sly smile again, “Can I ask you that personal question?”

I said, “Not if it’s not about your health”

She moaned, scoffed

I told her, “See you in 3 weeks”

And I was off

I was barely across the threshold

When I collapsed

In my absence she asked, “Does she always look that cold?

On my blood pressure she was sold”

Turns out I had dropped too low

I’d once heard a musician sing, “Don’t let your spirit die before your body”

Tuns out all my efforts were shoddy

I had checked out some time ago

That final patient seemed to know

Her question was aimed at helping me

I was blinded by my all my meaningless activity