Hunger

You regale me
with stories
of meals past
seared scallops
fresh snap peas from your garden
— not the peas of my youth
which I shamefully admit
I still cannot tolerate
—more and more your mind wanders
outside the confines of these walls
remember that last
chicken masala?
you don’t trust them anymore
those ghost flavours on your tongue
taunting you
almost bruising your wanting taste buds
You would rather
mine the pure pleasures of food
as you perch on the edge
of your hospital bed
than acknowledge the tube
in your nose
and your rising lipase levels
You’re afraid to eat now
so instead
you ask me to indulge
in some steak salad
and wine and report back
tomorrow

Hunger by Poet Hollis Roth via Ars Medica

About the Poet Hollis Roth is a palliative care physician, graduate student, and writer. She uses narrative medicine and poetry to explore themes of grief, loss, and hope. Hollis lives in Lethbridge, Alberta, with her two beloved cats Iggy and Roy. Email: hollis.roth@dfm.queensu.ca