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Wasn’t I proud
to walk into the Blood Bank
wearing my 4-gallon pin?
And didn’t I carefully
check off the boxes,
pass the iron and
blood pressure tests?
And wasn’t I noble, lying
down on the chair, a slick stiff
recliner, so willing to give
the O-positive essence
of myself?
And wasn’t it brave of me,
so the nurse said, repeatedly
digging into my elbow
with what--a crochet hook?
And weren’t we all jolly,
with our orange juice and Oreos,
hooked to machines and tubes,
saving lives?
And was I not piqued then, was I not
vexed, when the nurse
in holiday scrubs let slip
the Universal Donor
is O-negative?
© by Leslie Hodge.
Used here with the author’s permission.
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Leslie Hodge lives in San Diego, California. She graduated with a degree in English and Creative Writing, then spent four decades working in HR and IT management. After retiring, Leslie had the opportunity to attend the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, where she was inspired to begin writing poetry. Since then, Leslie has taken classes, co-founded a Poetry Salon, and experimented with a wide variety of poetic forms and topics.
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Jancan:
Oh, wow! This is so clever and imaginative. Yes, sometimes we build ourselves up--then . . . !
Posted 06/14/2023 11:01 PM
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BAMars:
I agree with all the comments and especially, Larry's. I, too, have experienced some smugness in my blood-giving. Very clever and I also appreciate the encouragement to donate. I am due to go again soon. Thanks, Leslie. And Jayne!
Posted 06/14/2023 07:52 PM
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KinVT:
Well done. & you prompted me to return to something I havent done as often as I should these last years..as Im one of the negative Os ;)
Thanks for the (humorous) reminder.
Posted 06/14/2023 04:47 PM
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RonPoems:
Im a fan. Keep it up, Leslie.
Posted 06/14/2023 03:47 PM
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Lori Levy:
Like the humor in this poem.
Posted 06/14/2023 12:16 PM
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Sharon Waller Knutson:
Love it. Wise, witty and wonderful. Wish I'd written it myself. Favorite line: And werent we all jolly,
with our orange juice and Oreos,
hooked to machines and tubes,
saving lives?
Posted 06/14/2023 12:00 PM
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paradea:
Love this!! I am O negative...the real universal donor!! Hahahaha! Great poem.
Posted 06/14/2023 12:00 PM
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David:
Nicely set up with a good twist ending.
Posted 06/14/2023 08:56 AM
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Cathy’s Sister:
Could really feel the Digging into my elbow with a crochet hook. Great poem. Thanks for encouraging us to donate blood!
Posted 06/14/2023 08:43 AM
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Anastasia:
Surprise ending! Also, thank you for donating bloodthose of us who can't truly appreciate you!
Posted 06/14/2023 08:15 AM
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Larry Schug:
I like the way this poem keeps building to it's unexpected conclusion and what it subtly says about human nature.
Posted 06/14/2023 07:50 AM
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