On the job

One normal workday at a focus group

an ear suddenly gives up on the job.

The work goes on – the bistro, wine and soup

discussed threadbare. Just one out of the loop.

In time that ear’s cajoled back. Then some blob

blocks out breath and smell with a growth that throbs.

Growth in the wrong directions. Breathless, stooped.

Some sense is lost once airways or sounds stop.

A blade intervenes and lets in some air.

But now it’s a different one that is cracked –

while the eye’s gone about its work unaware,

it’s also dimmed its own light down. Cataract!

All senses will fail. The warnings are there -

split open in focus groups with trivial facts.