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Aetna medicare advantra representative...

informed me reassuringly,
(albeit surprisingly) enough
the insurance company
would pay the entire bill
and pay the wife
a handsome insurance premium
if my sixty seven year old body failed to wake,
but the physical application
meaning implementation
and point of contact,
she forewarned strong pain medications,
primarily opioids used for severe,
short-term, or cancer-related pain,
often requiring a doctor's prescription
due to risks of addiction, tolerance,
and respiratory issues,
which key examples
include fentanyl, morphine,
oxycodone (OxyContin),
hydromorphone (Dilaudid),
hydrocodone (Vicodin), and methadone
might not be totally effective,
which crude tools
of the inchoate trade might hurt a bit,
so when the time came,
the doctors encouraged me to be chill
as a team of neurosurgeons
gathered in a huddle
while a motley array
of camera crews
and media hounds just outside the door
appeared tentative and a bit apprehensive
as medical practitioners prepared me
for a revolutionary procedure
yet, a twinge coursed thru these lovely bones
after the chief introduced himself
cuz he sported oddly enough
a name-tag that spelled the first
and surname Victor Frankenstein
while one hunched back attendant
psychosurgeon extraordinaire
affected by kyphosis
a forward curvature
of the back bones (vertebrae)
in the upper back area,
giving an abnormally rounded
or humpback appearance
sometimes known as roundback
or a dowager's hump
which shifted from side to side
videlicet independent volition of itself
he asked to be called Igor
and subsequently he would proceed
while standing atop a stool to drill
into my numbskull
after the anesthesiologist
vouchsafed my constant querying
ensured yours truly (me)
would be rendered completely unconscious
and quickly if not instantaneously
become to all appearances
immediately stable and still
if one observer did not know otherwise
he/she would think
my body to be in a state of rigor mortis
after common agents provocateur
to all intents and purposes
could serve in a horror movie
reassured me as well as possible
deathlike stillness would enshroud me
after they applied a tranquilizing ,
including sedatives, such as anxiolytic,
calmative, and depressant
but not limited to these agents
used to reduce anxiety, tension,
or produce a calming effect,
thus I passively let him buzzfeed me
courtesy intravenous drugs
like propofol, opioids for pain,
and when necessary inhalation gases,
yet for specific cases,
which would not apply to myself
nor be applicable,
since I would be the first candidate
to undergo an entire brain replacement
unlike excision of a brain tumor
commonly referred to
as an intracranial tumor,
cranial neoplasm,
or abnormal brain growth,
representing any mass of cancerous
or non-cancerous cells in the brain
thus since absolute zero tumor resections
near functional areas needed removal
would be a moot point,
hence well schooled specialists
would not be applicable
and out of their elements of style
since I volunteered to be a guinea pig
for the full monty,
but just for your information
awake craniotomy with local anesthesia
and light sedation
used to allow brain mapping
which undiscovered territory
would be reason to allocate money
intended for exploring dark shadows
within the outer limits of the twilight zone
between the left and right ear of this bard.

About This Poem

Last Few Words: i got to pick another identity so within this day and age/ an advertisement got posted to release me from this cerebral cage/ and allow, enable, and provide the brain of a sage.

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Direction: What did you think of my title?
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How does this theme appeal to you?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?
Is the internal logic consistent?

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft

About the Author

Region, Country: PA, USA

Favorite Poets: Robert Burns, Charles Dickens, Robert Frost, Matthew Scott Harris, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Sylvia Plath, Gary Snyder, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman

More from this author

Comments

neopoet

neopoet

3 days 20 hours ago

Neopoet AI [2025-04]

The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet’s AI:

This poem undertakes a complex and ambitious narrative, weaving medical terminology, personal experience, and dark humor into a single, extended stream of consciousness. The dense, unpunctuated style mirrors the overwhelming flood of information and emotions one might encounter when facing a serious medical procedure, effectively conveying a sense of disorientation and anxiety.

The juxtaposition of clinical language ("opioids," "intracranial tumor," "anxiolytic") with literary and pop culture references ("Victor Frankenstein," "Igor," "twilight zone") creates a layered texture that invites multiple readings. This blending underscores the surreal and sometimes absurd experience of navigating healthcare systems and confronting mortality.

However, the poem’s length and lack of conventional punctuation or stanza breaks can challenge readers’ engagement and comprehension. Introducing strategic line breaks or subtle punctuation might enhance readability without sacrificing the poem’s breathless, immersive quality. Additionally, varying the rhythm or incorporating moments of pause could provide emotional relief and emphasize key moments, such as the introduction of the neurosurgeon or the mention of the "full monty" brain replacement.

The use of medical jargon is effective in grounding the poem’s themes but risks alienating readers unfamiliar with the terms. Consider balancing technical language with more accessible imagery or metaphor to maintain clarity and emotional resonance.

Finally, the poem’s tone oscillates between clinical detachment, dark humor, and existential reflection. Clarifying or sharpening these tonal shifts could strengthen the poem’s impact, helping readers navigate its complex emotional landscape.

Overall, the poem offers a vivid, thought-provoking exploration of medical intervention and identity, but refining its structure and tonal coherence could enhance its communicative power.

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