This should be a bouquet
arranged and fragrant
for your hospital room,
saying something simple
but true, like get well soon,
or best wishes for a speedy recovery,
and those will come later
when we sit in your room
and listen to tired jokes
from the television,
all the while thinking
that heart, what pained you
25 years, was finally known,
but by microscope eyes
and gloved hands;
free of the protections you strung
so carefully around the perimeter;
razor-wire humor
cut neatly through by a bone saw
with your other defenses.
Once, I wanted you open
and raw, no secrets
separating us.
Not like this. Not everything
laid open under clean light
and that heart stopped,
even for a moment.
I want you whole.
I need to ask your surgeon
if, the moment that caged chest was open
did he hear you heart sing
the pure tones you hide so well?
Susan Daniels Poetry 
This is absolutely beautiful. I think it’s my favorite.
I can feel it. Really feel it and the wording, man, you’ve got me teary-eyed and that’s hard to do!
I hope he is well.
Loved this:
and those will come later
when we sit in your room
and listen to tired jokes
from the television,
And this:
“Once, I wanted you open
and raw, no secrets
separating us.
Not like this. Not everything
laid open under clean light
and that heart stopped,
even for a moment.
I want you whole.”
I think I just copied almost the entire poem…
Just proves my point even more!
Oh, thank you. This is for a VERY dear friend who just had bypass surgery, and it is all I can give him now. The flowers will come later.
there is so much emotion in this…I felt this…bravo!
Aw, Doris, thank you. There is a TON of affection for this friend.
What a great get-well gift this is. Full of love.
Thanks, Alice. He’s a great guy.
Okay, this one is quite affecting, in a lot of ways. *sniff*
Nelle, thank you. My best guy friend. Sniffling back.
a lovely tribute to a friend. I like your final stanza- pure tones. wonderful, Susan.
Jane, thanks so much. Just came out that way this morning.
that final stanza is a bouquet of loveliness. beautiful work, Susan
Thank you so much, Stacy.
Wow, Susan you awe me every time!
Jennifer, thank you! Just so glad he’s OK.
Once, I wanted you open
and raw, no secrets
separating us.
Oh Susan, I teared up, truly. This is beautiful, passionate, yes raw and poignant. I don’t know if I’ve adequately described it, but your poem touched something in me. You are awesome, my dear wordsmith 🙂
Celestine, wow, thanking you so much. He’s doing much, much better now.