Hospital Litany

By Cheryl Marie Wade

She's small for her age moon-faced almost no breast development Notice the classic deformities of the p.i.p.'s the ulnar deviation Are her bowels regular? Are they? Have you had a bowel movement, dear?

what?

She's small for her age scoliosed sparse pubic growth Notice the classic deformities of the m.i.p.'s the radiul deviation Has she started menses? Has she? Have you started your period yet, dear?

what?

She's small for her age round shouldered almost no Rise and Shine Time for agoral aspirin benadryl cortozone darvon darvocette demeral

What?

She's small for her age knockneed She's small for her age pidgeon-toed Rise and Shine Time for bed rest exercise hot packs traction bed rest exercise hot packs She's small for her age Small for her age Small for her

stop stop

Shine Time SED rate clean catch scoop your shit Dear blood Just a little pin prick to the bone marrow to the ear drum Cut off the nodule realign the hip joint scrape cut saw and yes Jesus was a carpenter WHAT?? Rebuild the classic deformities of the small for her age classic deformities of the small for her classic deformities of deformities small NOOOOOOOO!

About this poem

Wade’s title in the printed text of her video Here (1991–92), where she performs it. Performed in Celebrating the Body Electric (1994), Sassy Girl (1995) and A Woman With Juice. A shorter version opens Act One of Finding Words (1995).

We haven’t yet found a published version of this poem. If you know where it was published, please get in touch.