If you've ever been

to the torture chamber called a hospital

then you know

that being released is like

being freed from prison

you are finally home among family

and enjoying a meal

that does not taste like cardboard or plastic

and free from the drawing of blood

the midnight awakenings

the constant poking and prodding

the embarrassing gowns which show your posterior  

free from the entanglements of tubes and wires

and the incompetence of people who act like

they would rather be somewhere else

free of doctors who tell you they will

check back on you in the morning

and never show up

who run test after test not to protect you

but insulate themselves from lawsuits

and free from nurses who delight in waking you up

at all hours of the night

to take your blood like vampires

and ask you stupid questions

free from sponge baths

the noise in the hallway

the smell of disease

the omen of death

if you've ever been to a hospital

then you know not to go back

 

die first

that'll teach them.