Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: Ken Williams

  • Reluctance

    Ken WilliamsCambria, CA, USA Reluctanceweighing his heelsslowing his pacedoctor entersFace gray with worrybody tight with knowledgemy wife’s grip tightens Blood count wrongresponding notthey’ve done allsays he,also, “You must let goof the guilt” He exitsmy wifeIhugcry“You must let goof the guilt,”says she I must let go of the guiltI admonish myselfafter allI was merely a gruntA…

  • White coats

    Ken Williams Cambria, California, USA WaitingWhite coats hustle bynurses of compassiontheir gentle, sideway smiles frozencombating war’s legacy Blood counts fallPlateletsWhite cellsRed cellsM.I.A.Agent Orange rages Gulf War SyndromeAgent Orange, Blueother colors, deadly rainbowBurn off trash heapspick our poison Plastic tubes stained redsucked intoveins corrupted with Dow’s tainted bloodMy bloodnot abstractRobbing denialit’s soothing salve Warpart of something bigger…

  • White Coats

    Ken Williams Cambria, California, United States   Waiting White coats hustle by nurses of compassion their gentle, sideway smiles frozen combating war’s legacy Blood counts fall Platelets White cells Red cells M.I.A. Agent Orange rages Gulf War Syndrome Agent Orange, Blue other colors, deadly rainbow Burn off trash heaps pick our poison Plastic tubes stained…