It’s Friday the Thirteenth
after midnight
and surgery is hours away
and I am having trouble sleeping
but I can’t take anything
because of the upcoming anesthesia.
I would love to drink something
but they say
I can’t put any substances in my system
for twelve hours
before the incisions begin.

The night is quiet
as quiet as it gets here
but it is bright out
and the creaks
the ticks
the drips
and distant cars
echo in ears
that seem far too attentive
at this fucking hour.

This fucking hour will soon be gone
but right now
it is late
and I can’t sleep
while that bright full moon
stares down at me
reminding how the approaching appointment
is scheduled today
which, as mentioned above,
happens to be Friday the Thirteenth.