Open Wound

He said my back hurts please look
I pull up this sweater the wound
is gaping red and bleeding red
everywhere is red sticky blood
his life force oozing steady
into the car flashing hazards
maybe four miles to Saint Joes
park walk in sit down at a desk
she starts to ask the questions
name age address doctor I say
he needs stitches now for wound
not hearing she goes on ahead
I pull up his red bright shirt
sticky with matted blood look
she cringes puts down her pen
this is an emergency after all