PUSHER, PUSH HER

skirt-suits, makeup face, lipstick paint, perfectly applied eyeliner,
white teeth, high heels, sculpted calves, blouses.
a company car-
an SUV with seats that fold down to make a spacious trunk
to fit pamphlets and cardboard-boxed samples
in foil-push-out-wrappers.
she's always such a pleasant doler-outer
parading around behind the reception desk
waving candy high above our heads
batting lashes at the male doctors
surface questions, plastic smiles, zombie eyes sparkle
in my nose and in my mouth
i taste her perfume.

 

patients keep shuffling in
reporting appointment times to women in rose-colored scrubs
women who keep shuffling papers
medical history, patient background information
shuffle shuffle shuffle.
healthcare policy number or lack-there-of
mostly the latter.

 

it's what makes her feel like a superhero-
helping the classes get the masses
of poison. for free.
but wait, that's not proper to call it so.
a tiny purple pill?
a white bouncing ball of joy?
yes yes, that sounds much better
much safer.

 

her heels keep clicking back there
on the cold, white n' sterile flooring
her bubbliness is making my stomache turn over
flip flop. flip flop.

 

just get into your car
just let us get our daily dose.
just let your floral scent
keep trying to mask the cyanide you left in your wake.

 

i'm thinking:
it would be funny
if on her way out to the car she tripped
on the freshly poured concrete
got a run in her pantyhose-
possibly broke the skin on her knee even
a bit of blood?
i wonder:
would she feel discontent and sad? a little blue?
would she dive into her stash?
but that damn commercial just keeps running through her head
 "side effects may include: headache, nausea, vommiting, diarrhea, insomnia,
dizziness, heart complications, liver problems,....
 people with such-and-such should not use, if you are pregnant, breast-feeding,..... blah blah

blah......"

 

on second thought.......
she'll just stick to soapy water and a band-aid.

Reviews

[Jaclyn]

Hrm...I think the pharmaceutical reps ARE evil sometimes....even though many meds seem to help, it seems as though there is a pill for even the most ridiculous diseases. It reminds me of that song by Lazyboy...I believe it is called "Underwear Goes on the Inside".

"I can't turn on the TV without thinking I have five serious diseases, like 'do you ever wake up tired in the morning?' Oh my god, I have this disease. Whatever this is, write it down, I have this disease....half the time I don't even know what they're talking about...there's people running towards each other through the fields....that is the greatest disease ever! How do I get that disease? That disease comes with a hot chick and a puppy."

I thought this was excellent. It wasn't in a true poem fashion exactly, but you've captured so much in your words...the shuffling papers, the plasticky perfection of the rep, the churning and flipping of your stomach when you see them....and I loved the ending, with the hypocritical rep deciding to use soap and water and a band-aid instead of the crap she's selling. Twisted genius. You done good, Rach.

[Nana Carmine]

wow. I agree with a lot of what you said. They do just hand out medicine like candy. Well writtien, I really like it, great job

[Allison Julia Mouret]

I like the imagery in this one, nicely written and very neatly expressed

[Laura Sparkle]

ooooo.... nicely done! I like your ranting... incredibly poetic (no pun intended)

[rachel D]

in response to Bj Harper:
first off, thanks for the review!
u gave many great suggestions
second, u r right, this is NOT a poem but you gotta pick something from the pulldown menu.
this is just a rant with an odd format.
i definitely see where this could be a story if it were to be taken further and worked on A LOT!
the thing is, i just don't have it in me. honestly, i might pull out all of my hair in the process of trying to write a short story..... and i'm somewhat fond of my hair.
anyways, again i thank you but unfortunately this piece has been taken as far as it's gonna go.
cheers!
-rmd-

[Ryan Jaimz Knight]

This doesn't work as a poem. Why? Because I can see it working better as a short story, all of the major components are there for a short work that gives the reader a look at the most mundane of activities through the eyes of an individual who is obviously frustrated, and tired of the medicated superficiality of modern society. That was the message that your speaker communicated in this piece, and I as a reader and a writer honestly would like to see it taken further with the character becoming more three dimensional since everything points to a moral or profound resolution of some sort were it to be presented as a story rather than an experimental poem. For now, I give you major kudos for an excellent piece of flash fiction in the key of experimental style. In the meantime, have a great evening, and keep up the great work. I am seriously looking forward to reading your next piece.
Ciao!
BJH

[TL Boehm]

you can't see me nodding my head. I understand totally - you are venting in a most creative and hilarious way. Certainly meds are fine for those people who need them - but DAMN the way they're sold ad nauseum - so like if my hub has ED and takes a happy pill and has the opposite of *ahem* for over four hours this is a problem because WHAT? It makes my head spin. (BTW - my hub does not have E.D but we do have children...that pretty much cures all other issues)
You know this one also struck a chord with me on sales people in general - those perky types with everything in order - most days I HATE them - and you pegged it...you can taste their perfume. A great rant.

[Victoria Lee~]

LOL... My ex sister-in-law is a medical sales rep. You could have been describing her. Excellent work Rachel!

[Kiri J]

well i did have a little giggle of sorts with you, rach though i'm not sure of what nature! i like it alot i can't imagine it would offend anyone and it's a v entertaining rant!
xK

[AK]

We're all allowed to rant every now and then. Well done.

[__Flaw__]

Hahaha....ok i did the laughing part.

Hmm, yeah well, the tone's predictably high...if i were a med i would have sued u...Lol...:)))

Nice ranting nonetheless, seemed pretty close to what we can get at any medical care...the flip flop, high heels and acid perfume :))))...good work...Rachel the Patient...???
Wellllll, U better not say that any more.......
ever :))))