For You

The angels of mercy in scrubs and good shoes
work the floor and deliver the news

"Don't panic. A positive test result is not a death sentence."
She reassures a 77-year-old with diabetes and COPD

The same thing she told the mirror 15 minutes ago
and she will tell her husband and children
in an hour and 15 minutes from now and
a month later the husband, the children,
and the 77-year-old will call her a hero
and we will echo it around
the world and back again