The Men in White

Phalanges play pianissimo,
Metacarpals just wave “hello”.
Like a bulge on a old inner tube
That ganglion really needs to go
“Keep the hand elevated higher than your heart”
Reminds the kindly Orthopedic Surgeon 
“Is the pain significant?
Want some tylenol with codeine?
It might aid in your recuperation 
If your fingers still tingle. 
Commit to memory that 
Like a soothing melody 
The tenderness will ritardando.”

Deep in back of the kitchen
Suds and hot water wait
For the pots and pans forte
A figure in tall paper hat
Waits outside the dining room
The towering Chef commands
Looking down the Hot Foods line
And finds the Saucier on the job
“Use a Cheesecloth to strain the veloute”
The chinois simply will not do”
Soon plates are going out by the dozens
While the pots and pans starts their banging
A regular concert of percussions
And the night has just begun.