In Vein

Haven't written much poetry since high school, but thought it would be worth a try. Based on an unsuccessful blood donation (during which my veins collapsed) and an unsuccessful post-donation recovery at the Massachusetts State House (when I got really, really dizzy).* 

"In Vein"

Bluish, purple

Spreading out through your palm

Leading up your arms, your legs

Branching over your chest

Just under the skin

Like some kind of rare parasite

A little bouncy like a tendon

But softer, thinner

Bluish, purple, green

At the site of a bruise

Where I tried to give

Once they collapsed

In vein

Once I collapsed 

Had to leave a state house tour

For a bottle of juice

It's not kosher

But it's sugar

In vein

And I'm back

In a chair

For twenty minutes

But for another person, my loss is their gain

My blood is lost and found in their vein

* = Whenever you donate blood, don't skimp on the 10-15 minutes you're supposed to spend drinking water and eating cookies before going home and try to slow down for the next several hours. The dizziness I had was from leaving too early and following a walking tour group.