Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita.... Midway upon the gurney of our life, I’m semiconcious in a dismal room, Dim mental twilight, doctor’s tools: a knife Scalpel and needle glinting in the gloom. Seeing senseless, with one too few anesthetic Injections. Slice. A cut. A slash. I’m numb Though open, heart exposed. The apathetic Penumbra seeps around. The dim-pitched squeals Whine over the (BEEP!) mumblings of the medic, Like echos through a canyon my head reels About in. (BEEP!) my mind sinks farther, deep In crimson sunset. Less my body feels (BEEP!) more my thought sees. Gaping white of sleep. (BEEP!) I’m awash. (BEEP!) Going up. BEEP BEEEEEEEEEP!