Shock of a Teenager (2)

Twenty years ago,
An accident happened.

Pearl Yeo
Twenty-four
Walked under a taxi
On her way to work.

She was rushed to the
Hospital; blood pouring from her
Head.

The doctors gave her a
Blood transfusion.

And everyone thought:
That’s the end of it.

Not so.

Five years later,
An accident happened.

Benjamin Yeo
Just born
Entered into this world
From his mother’s womb.

He was rushed through the
Hospital; her blood staining his
Head.

The doctors gave him a
Vaccination.

And everyone thought:
That’s the end of it.

Not so.

***
The blood that was given
Pearl Yeo
Was tainted.

Hepatitis B

But no one knew
Until Benjamin existed.

***

It was only then
That I noticed the crack
The crack spanning the
Ceiling.

Craning my head upwards
I watched it
Traced it slowly
As it disappeared into
Nothingness.
Just a plain line
Crooked in some places
Straight in others
But running towards the door
Which opened to admit
The doctor.

I’m sorry

You have Hepatitis B
You have Hepatitis B
You have Hepatitis B

“Is… it curable?”
My voice
Cracking
Splitting like the ceiling
Above my head.
My world was tumbling
Falling
All about me.

I’m sorry

There is no cure at all
There is no cure at all
There is no cure at all

Why, O Lord?
Why me,
Of all people?

***
He was guiltless.
Still chaste.
Yet he was burdened
With a deadly
Disease.