“One More Violation” by Karen George

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Your family doctor of thirty years
will no longer accept
your brand of health insurance.
The woman says No,
you cannot pay with cash,
check, or credit card.
He can no longer treat you.

An hour ago the oncologist revealed
three months of chemo
resulted in nothing
but a loss of hair, appetite, forty pounds.

I try to console you,
but you’re steeped in betrayal—
your doctor’s,
your body’s,
the shame
of smoking
so many years.

-Karen George

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