Ode to the Spine

I know that this is not literature. It probably doesn’t even deserve the title of “verse,” but maybe it will bring a smile on these dark winter days. It came about because my doctor corrected my pronunciation of “facet” and told me that the accent is on the second syllable. It doesn’t rhyme with “tacit.”

ODE TO THE SPINE

Within the spine a juncture called “facet”
When worn, can cause a spinal nerve upset.
To live with pain brings moments of regret
And fear perhaps the worst is coming yet.

When asked for help, one surgeon said, “You bet!”
Another surgeon smiled and said “Not yet.”
I asked advice from grandson, a cadet
And spoke of it with neighbor, nurse Jeanette.

For their kind words I deeply am in debt
As now I face a shot in the facet.

(I hope they film the deed on a cassette.)

Story ID:	1688
Written by:	Wanda Molsberry Bates (bio, contact, other stories)
Story type:	Poem
Location:	Manhattan Kansas USA
Year:	2007