Lengthening Achilles

Lengthening Achilles 
1980

The last hope
nick the tendon
It unwinds, allowing
his heel to touch ground

The condescending surgeon,
He may have some cramping.
The resident,
He may have some cramping.
I repeat to Bird,
The doctors say
you may have some cramping

After,
shrieks ricochet
His wide open eyes 
He’s not really awake
Nurse pitches her voice
over caterwauling
Spare me, I snap.