Joanna Gilman Hyde

The Hawk West Desk Window 9:40pm

When I was eight

I had My Tonsils & Adenoids out

& answered a nurse’s question

“Do You have a Boy Friend?”

“My Step Brother”

I was told to count backwards from ten

with the Ether Mask on —

I made it to nine

& when I woke up

I sat up

immediately

a nurse came running over

I was put temporarily in a room

with TV’s on the ceiling

& My Mother took Me out

reluctantly

whereupon I threw up at the check-out counter

trying to aim for a proffered garbage can

At Home I feasted on ice water

& mint chocolate chip shakes

& did My school work

with a very nice tutor/babysitter

for ten days

before going back to school

ten pounds lighter

& telling everyone how badly

My Throat hurt

& how much I loved Ice Water