Voices

IN THE WARD

VOICES

Voices in the ward-

Excited, impatient, eager,

Calm, querulous, tired,

Indignant:

"Hearts-I said two hearts. . . ."

"T passed. . . ."

"Tm the East Wind. . . ."

"Tl fade you . . . two bits. . . ."

"An' she says . . "

"Damn it, this pain! . . ."

"Why doncha tell the doc? . . ."

"'S one I heard in Kansas City. . . ."

"Fifteen two, fifteen four . . ."

"Whose move is it? . . ."

Voices

Dull, insistent, sibilant,

And far.

In the court a lone cricket

Pours its heart headlong

To the stars.

Deaf to the voices in the ward,

I alone,

Among the stars,

Answer the cricket.