Balding, thinning hair

Not really here

Or there or anywhere. 

Scar on his face. 

He grips the air in his hands

Tightly.

Doesn't answer questions.

Swallows involuntarily.

Avoids eye contact. 

The doctor dismisses him with a word:

Delouse.

His nicotine-stained fingers

Crack as he stretches them, obsessively.

It is a long time since.

Now he is just pushed around, 

By these 'pro-fessionals'.

He murmurs to himself:

I am the self-consumer of my woes. 

What was that? 

Nothing. He says. Nothing at all.

OK nurse, move him into the light.