A Family History Ii Poem by Morgan Michaels

It would be nice to know, said Donnie, a little miffed. She was certainly vague enough. What exactly was it- the family problem?

She didn't really know but admitted a second cousin had it, - the hip. And now, her poor brother. Months. The pain was awesome.

Taken back, Donnie sat back.The number of afflicted family members increased by the minute.

'I see', he said, looking at her companion. Had he an x-ray?

He had.

What did the film show?

Once again, she didn't know

'Wait a minute', quipped Donnie, beginning to lose patience, 'when did he have this x-ray'?

'Four months ago, in September. We have no results', she added, pre-emptively.

Why not?

'Because we never went back'.

Donnie sighed. He thought of Medicaid and its cost to the tax-payer. Sentiment notwithstanding, he didn't want to request a second, the result of the first film unknown. The condition would've changed little in the mean-while. Why did people think everything was free, and services limitless? Didn't they know who paid, ultimately? Hadn't they more civic savvy than that? Apparently not. Or, maybe they just didn't care. It was a complex, unpopular issue.


'Wait a minute, he cried, 'who ordered it'?

She tried to remember.

'His...