DRAMATIC POEM

By Laura Tuggle Anderson 2004

ltanderson@hollins.edu

A drop of blood encased in smooth

Transparent

Snot

Blown onto the tissue

Held away from my surprised face.

Looking at the perfect formation —

Red, pure red, feathered at the edges,

Inside the snot that sneezed it out —

I think of tumors

Wracking lungs

Collapsing pancreas

Wheezing father lying prone

Waiting to eat

Not IV juice but

Real solid food that makes you shit real solid turds.

It all starts with one drop of blood.

A hand to the chest, a hand on the rail, my hand on his elbow,

Wondering if I could possibly lift him if he fell,

Six feet tall and he weighs less than I do…

I whose sneeze barely missed my computer screen.

I sit as numbers float by, as words sink in,

Wondering what the blood means, and

How to tell the difference.

• October 29, 2004 - No Shame Roanoke
  

  Performed by Laura Tuggle Anderson

• June 11, 2005 - National Best of No Shame at Piccolo Spoleto (Charleston)
  

  Performed by Kris Laguzza

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