Home » Poems » John Michaels » Nil By Mouth

Nil By Mouth

Plink. Plink. Drip... follows drop, follows drip, follows drop. Plink. Plink. Resolutely, incessantly, each precious globule snakes, languidly, along labyrinthine tunnel. Plink. Plink. Seemingly-innocuous fluid conveys crucial content and necessary nourishment: sole source of sustenance. Plink. Plink. Life-affirming droplets are welcomed, eagerly, into damaged vessel's system. Plink. Plink. Naught but air to pass lips, "NBM" had been decreed. Plink. Plink. Temporarily, but indelibly, branded. Plink. Plink. ----------------------------------- 8 October 2017 NBM / Nil by Mouth is a medical instruction to prevent patients from consuming any food or water orally, often replaced by intravenous fluids. Submitted to Julia Ward's "Your Favourite Free Verse Poem From October 2017 or November 2017" contest. (2nd Place) Entered in Butterfly Wings' "Could You, Please" contest. (6th Place)

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Eve Roper

Date: 11/6/2018 12:34:00 PM

Congratulations on Julia's contest...nicely done...

John Michaels
Date: 11/7/2018 7:09:00 AM

Thanks very much, Eve. I'm pleased that I was able to turn such a horrible experience into something positive!! All the best, John.

Line Gauthier

Date: 11/5/2018 6:32:00 PM

Congrats on your gold medal win, John.

John Michaels
Date: 11/6/2018 7:41:00 AM

Thanks very much, Line. Same goes for you! Regards, John.

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 11/5/2018 7:11:00 AM

Congratulations on your win in Julia Ward's contest! Good stuff :)) xomo

John Michaels
Date: 11/5/2018 10:28:00 AM

Thanks for the great comments, Maureen! Much appreciated. Regards, John.

Julia Ward

Date: 11/5/2018 2:46:00 AM

Unique and highly deserving in my contest asking for a favourite free verse poem from October or November last year. Well done for its second place win, John. Julia

John Michaels
Date: 11/5/2018 10:28:00 AM

Thanks very much for my placement! I'm glad you liked it! Regards, John.

Teddy Kimathi

Date: 10/23/2017 8:09:00 AM

Wow! Great work of genius! Congrats John, for your WIN in the contest! ;-)

John Michaels
Date: 10/23/2017 1:37:00 PM

Thanks for the amazing feedback, Teddy! Pleased you liked it. All the best, John.

Constance La France

Date: 10/21/2017 9:23:00 AM

John, congratulations on your win in my contest with this creative write !

John Michaels
Date: 10/23/2017 1:25:00 PM

Thank you for running the contest - and for my placement! Regards, John.

Eve Roper

Date: 10/20/2017 11:12:00 PM

Congratulations on your win, John, intresting ! Hugs Eve ~`*

John Michaels
Date: 10/23/2017 1:31:00 PM

Thanks, Eve - appreciate the kind comments. Regards, John.

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 10/20/2017 6:13:00 PM

...back with congratulations!

John Michaels
Date: 10/23/2017 1:18:00 PM

Thanks so much, Maureen.

Paul Callus

Date: 10/14/2017 7:03:00 AM

Incidentally, visited a friend of mine in hospital this morning; she's on the drip and is not allowed anything else. You treat this topic creatively, John. Regards // paul

John Michaels
Date: 10/14/2017 7:09:00 AM

Thanks, Paul! When hooked up to one and with nothing to do, the mind tends to wander - this is where my muse took me. Regards, John.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/8/2017 8:59:00 PM

oh you taught me a new thing today. I never heard NMB before. Nicely done.

John Michaels
Date: 10/14/2017 5:35:00 AM

Was new to me too, until a couple of weeks ago. I know it's a bit of a random write, but was just my way of dealing. All the best, John.

Maureen Mcgreavy

Date: 10/8/2017 11:04:00 AM

Wild pen!

John Michaels
Date: 10/14/2017 5:35:00 AM

Thanks, Maureen. Hopefully that's "wild" in a good way :)!! Regards, John.