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  1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  2. Medicine and Meaning
  3. Appointment 4:10

Appointment 4:10

By Emily Kocurek

She told me that she sat with him  
At the dining table.
They had bought some pills,
Had made a pact long ago.

Just one more day.
But you will never be ready.
Just one more day.
I’ll call the boys.

You’re smart; you’ll sort out the finances.
You’ll figure things out for yourself.
I have to go now. I cannot do this 
Any longer. Don’t touch the bottle.

She told me that she called a friend 
To stay the night with her.
She didn’t want to be alone
When he was finally gone. 

I can’t tell her what he’s done,
And even now she doesn’t know.
Though she sends me a gift
On my birthday every year.

I dried her eyes.
I could only thank her for sharing.
I went home and stroked my son’s hair,
Pressed my face to his cheek tightly.

Emily Kocurek, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine. She divides her time at UAMS among her research projects, clinical duties in the medical intensive care unit and pulmonary clinic, and being an associate program director for the internal medicine residency. She is a Little Rock native.

Posted on October 4, 2021

Filed Under: 4 - Poetry

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