Key Tone Deficiency
by Bill Yarrow
A doctor's walls reveal quite a bit
about a physician, do you think?
Those pictures of black jazz musicians
leaning against silk saxophones
inspire confidence. But the paintings
that are one painting chopped
into three parts—those scare
the ennui out of me. I do respect
diplomas, but when the name
on the degree doesn't match the doctor
in the room, I'm plainly uncomfortable.
What about those 19th century French
ad posters for lemon seltzer and parasols?
A doctor needs twenty-foot walls to hang
those things! Beware superfluous color,
internecine abstraction, or foetus clouds.
Ornate frames indicate mental instability.
If you recognize the artist, the doctor is
a charlatan. If you encounter macrame,
leave the practice, consult a soothsayer.
this is wonderful. isn't it supposed to be "ketone"? maybe not. you've hit the nail on the head re: what us suspicious patients do in the doctor's waiting room. this is funny and true and refreshingly original *
"But the paintings
that are one painting chopped
into three parts—those scare
the ennui out of me."
Good piece, Bill. Good voice: "I do respect diplomas"
"I'm plainly uncomfortable"
"If you recoginize the artist, the doctor is a charlatan"
I like.
Dunno, Bill. I think they have to take a class on interior decorating now in medical school. Along with a class on how to act like a human being and not an ATM.
Love it! Star.
Love the playfulness of the voice and diction here, Bill. Fun and well written. *
Poly-rhythmic word jazz in b-major revealing soulful truth with loving care and precision.
Good advice on choosing a physician.
Hahaha! Brilliant!
Humorous poetry touches all the valves of my heart, the doctor said so.
*
Having once flunked chemistry, I don't know a ketone from a tickle behind my knee, but I do know and reluctantly distrust doctors' offices. Especially with black jazz musicians and silk saxophones. Playful piece, yes, but scary. Hoodwinked into trust because one wants so very much to trust something? *
But those degrees from Grenada look so neat! Nice poem, Bill.
Nicely done! I like the way time goes by while waiting in the doc's office so his imaginations gets more and more carried away.
Silky smooth, Bill. I like this one lots. *