The vending machine is
any day of the year,
no packets of pigs in blankets
or slices of bubble and squeak
in sight. The chairs are decorated
with October snot and August
infection cream. Mariah Carey
is the Next Patient buzzer.
A red cheeked elf in Gruffalo PJs
is curled up on Santa’s knackered lap
whispering Christmas adventure
as he spots the tree in the corner
with the NHS bauble.

© Carl Burkitt 2022