In the middle of A & E
with its restless worry
stands the tensed-up guy
in handcuffs and police custody
with a dark top on his wiry frame
bordered on both sides
by officers, sweating.
Edgy and brittle,
bottled in with old pride
and punched-up hope,
the room fears a blow-out
as his blond sister
comes and goes from him
in tight jeans and fear.
Worn out,
the old man waiting opposite
nods and winks
at the pumped-up guy
opening hope in his head
and drawing tension
from the room.
*A & E is Accident and Emergency in the UK, Ireland, and some Commonwealth countries. It’s what the US calls the ER.
Anto Kerins is a conservationist, writer and educator. His latest book on learning is with Routledge. He has been writing poetry for a number of years. His most recent public reading was at Culture Night, Ireland 2020 with Poems for the Journey through Pandemic.