See I dressed up pretty today
I've got henna on my hands
Only outside though
I didn't put it up on the inside
I have to examine you
I wore red nail colour
The colour of blood
I imagine my hands looked pretty
Underneath the gloves
I mean its eid today
You the one with a failing liver
Your father is busy right now
Outside the ED
Counting his savings
Fighting back tears of desperation
I can anticipate
He will come in shortly to discuss
Financial constraints
And with a heavy heart I will
Type your leave against advise
You the one with the *SOL*
You bled in your brain
The color on my nails, remember
You came in interactive
Suddenly unresponsive
How do I save you
Would the vent help? No says PICU
Would decompressive craniotomy do
No, said neurosurgery
Is there any other option
DNR says neurooncology
Your father is looking at me
With questions
My turn to fight back tears
As I break it down to him
Back home they asked me
As a festive dinner was being served
Why did I leave half of my nails
Unpainted
Red looks good, they said
AREEBA SULTAN, MBBS, is a resident in Pediatrics & Child Health at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. More of her writing can be found on her blog at https://areebasultan.wordpress.com/.