Display on Sussex Ward

by Claire Crowther

Yarrow: verdant, ravelled yarnburst,
shells of thread
cloud the emerald hills
of Vandyke and double featherstitch,
whipped web and long-armed feather.

I reach out. A man points to a notice:
'Don't touch.'
The paper gown, hung up
like art in this cubicle, will be creased
by the patient, clutching pants and shoes.