September 10, 2006 - 9:38 p.m.
"Aborted Mission"
Yesterday I made my way To the Red Cross building Twenty minutes of pre-screening Diseases, sexual contact Foreign travel outside the states
Borderline anemic, pinprick finger test I reach the cut-off point of 38 Sign the papers, agree to donate Universal donor blood for premies
Volunteer sticks a needle in my arm Longest one ever to enter a vein I feel slight pain, nothing major Look away from the needle, scene
Curiousity gets the best of me See the blood flowing inside the tube Feel the pulsing of my heartbeat Left arm with blood pressure cuff Left arm with needle inside it
Five minutes into the draining I feel a little dizzy Clammy skin, perspiration on my forehead
"Are you okay?" she asks concerned "Yes I reply..." turning whiter When I failed to answer twice She removed the needle, aborted mission Slapped cold compress on my head Bandaged up left arm with gauze, sticky wrap
My collection less than half a pint Became hazardous waste material Not the life giving force I intended
I left the building, light-headed Disappointed for the newborn babies Needing blood transfusions.
~ Soldier Girl
