His head above, she hangs her arm,
he pushes the long thing, she gags,
too late to get out - 'soft' plastic.
'Swallow,' he says. Does not mean birds.
'Breathe,' says the nurse. With this obstruction?

'Why aren't we through? Go on. Go in.'
She makes the arm hang limp. Let them go in.
He pumps. She inflates, feels a tickle,
can't smile with a mouth full of plug.
What are they seeing? A screen show?

The tube passes on, not hurting, no.
He snaps that here's a blockage. She sees
fright in the floating face
the nurse,'just relax, remember,'
hears her own heavy breath.
'Aaaargh!' He, they, inside her, viewing her.

Why did she insist on having
a local anaesthetic?
A train she had to catch.

Relief in his voice,
she has to be glad.