Nervous Kitty

I knew the green tea

was a bad idea.

Like licking wallpaper,

or pulling my eyebrows out

two at a time.

I am too nervous already.
Too ready to jump

like the cat

who sleeps beneath

the shed in my backyard.

But I did it anyway.

I drank it after noon.

I drank it knowing my mother

was going to the hospital

and I was going to have to wait

for my sister’s call.

I have been through this before.

The I.V.’s.

The blood draws.

The X-rays to see

what is wrong.

The two green lights blinking.

My mother confident

she will die if one of them goes off.

Barking dogs.

The sundowning.

The yells and restraints.

The biting of tongues

and arms

and residents.

The shaking of heads,

and endless marveling

at the strength of one

so small.

I am biting my nails now.

Waiting.

Always waiting.