Tommy

by Rafael Campo

A twenty-one-year-old white man brought in

By ambulance – in hypotensive shock,

Shot in the back while buying drugs from the three

Black men.  The cord must be involved:

His legs are paralyzed, his penis is

Erect, and all sensation from below

The level of the entry site is lost.

The left him in the street for dead; I heard

Them say an alley dog was lapping up

His blood like milk when he was found.  Before

He goes to surgery, he has to give

Informed consent, which he’s refused to do

Thus far.  He states he’s rather die than be

Dependent on his family for care.

They’re questioning his competence, of course,

They’re waiting on his folks.  His wife just stares.