Grapefruit

A poem

On one end of the phone
is a patient who won't accept
blood pressure medication
because she will have to give up
grapefruit.

On the other end is a doctor
who rolls his eyes at me
and slouches in his chair.
It would be unprofessional to say
"this stupid woman".

"You are at risk of stroke and heart attacks."

"But the grapefruit."

"You are putting yourself at higher risk of..."

"...but, the grapefruit..."

"Ok. How much grapefruit do you usually consume in a week?"

Doctor,
try asking this woman
"How does the grapefruit taste?"
and hear how it's sweet like a life without diagnosis
and sharp like the girl who can't feel her body ageing.

Ask her how the grapefruit feels in her hand
and as she cups her fingers and inhales,
ask her to show you the shape and fragrance
of that stroke you mentioned.

Doctor, do you think she doesn't understand?