You might well be important.
You’re still there,
even though you’re sometimes lethal,
even for young people.
 
I like to think, though, 
that you're not bad.
Maybe you were overwhelmed. 

Maybe your visitor, The Stone,
who I put there, somehow,
was too much for you.

Or maybe you could not handle 
my work schedule, 
like me.

You were kind. 
You whispered before you yelled.
And even then, you relented. 

I tried to protect you.
I tried to read CODA.
'Patient failed antibiotics.'
I could have done better.

I felt taken 
by a way of thinking 
that distanced me from you, 
My Gut!

I was afraid 
you might try to take me out,
so, I took you out first.

I'm sorry. 

I wish that
by a surgical error, 
some of you might still be there.

---

Now published on medmic!