What is a list poem? This poetry style is a collection of people, places, things, ideas, or even words strung together somewhere within a poem to form a list. It is not necessary for the list to rhythm, but the words used should be memorable. I find the freedom when creating a list poem fascinating. The wordplay can be wild and free similar to Indiana weather in the early spring. Therefore, in March, I plan to write a series of list poems. I will title this one Physical Therapy.
Physical Therapy
A smiling receptionist behind a window
Welcomes you to the torture chamber
Take a seat on a beige chair
Television in the corner
Plays account of takeover of the Capital Building
Sheet covered plastic bed
Hot pack
Cold pack
Depending on your need
Shocks from the TENS UNIT
To the muscles needing stimulated
Leg lifts
Squats
Crunches
Climb the stairs
Ride the stationary bike
Lift a hundred pounds
With your bad leg
Time to go home now
But don’t forget
To make your next appointment
With the smiling receptions
Behind the window
A sign of warning should hang on your door
Give me your bruised and battered
Your huddled massed yearning to move free
The wretched injured of your surgery floor
Send these, the helpless, pain-tossed masses to me
And I will push them beyond endurance until they are better than before
Seriously, this sign of warning should hang on your door.
Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh. To read more of her short stories and adventures, click here.
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This is great! I appreciate the humor and the parody of the Lazarus poem. 😊