R-KV-R-Y Quarterly Winter 2006
Poetry by Dan Masterson
Poetry by Dan Masterson
To My Patients
Please do not call me at home
or expect me to drive to yours
at any time of day or night.
When you sit here in my office,
please do not smoke or tear
items from my magazines.
Neither talk to my receptionist
nor whistle, hum, stomp or tap
to the piped-in music.
When your name is called, move
quickly to the appointed room;
do just as you are told.
When I enter, be prompt about
any complaint you may have; do
not attempt to amuse me.
Listen to what I have to say
so I need not repeat myself;
then dress, taking all belongings.
Please stop at the desk and pay
your total bill in cash; checks
are not welcome here;
But you are.
I hope you are feeling better;
come again when you are not.
Please do not call me at home
or expect me to drive to yours
at any time of day or night.
When you sit here in my office,
please do not smoke or tear
items from my magazines.
Neither talk to my receptionist
nor whistle, hum, stomp or tap
to the piped-in music.
When your name is called, move
quickly to the appointed room;
do just as you are told.
When I enter, be prompt about
any complaint you may have; do
not attempt to amuse me.
Listen to what I have to say
so I need not repeat myself;
then dress, taking all belongings.
Please stop at the desk and pay
your total bill in cash; checks
are not welcome here;
But you are.
I hope you are feeling better;
come again when you are not.
Dan Masterson was elected, in 1986, to membership in Pen International in recognition of his first two volumes
of verse: ON EARTH AS IT IS, and THOSE WHO TRESPASS. WORLD WITHOUT END was published in 1991 by
The University of Arkansas Press. ALL THINGS, SEEN AND UNSEEN, the poet's volume of new and selected
poems, was also published by The University of Arkansas Press, in 1997.
Professor Masterson is a biographee in CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS, THE INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY OF
BIOGRAPHY, and WHO'S WHO IN POETRY. Recently, his work was featured on NPR's "The Writers Almanac."
The nationally syndicated televison series, "The Christophers," has devoted five programs to him and his work.
A graduate of Syracuse University, he was a manuscript judge for The Associated Writing Programs' national
manuscript competition, and continues as a contributing editor to the annual PUSHCART PRIZE ANTHOLOGY.
Since 1965, he has given more than one thousand poetry readings, lectures, and seminars on the national
poetry circuit. He has introduced a number of literary evenings at New York City's 92nd Street YMHA Poetry
Center, including those honoring Anne Sexton, Miller Williams, Joseph Heller, Anthony Hecht, and James
Dickey.
of verse: ON EARTH AS IT IS, and THOSE WHO TRESPASS. WORLD WITHOUT END was published in 1991 by
The University of Arkansas Press. ALL THINGS, SEEN AND UNSEEN, the poet's volume of new and selected
poems, was also published by The University of Arkansas Press, in 1997.
Professor Masterson is a biographee in CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS, THE INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY OF
BIOGRAPHY, and WHO'S WHO IN POETRY. Recently, his work was featured on NPR's "The Writers Almanac."
The nationally syndicated televison series, "The Christophers," has devoted five programs to him and his work.
A graduate of Syracuse University, he was a manuscript judge for The Associated Writing Programs' national
manuscript competition, and continues as a contributing editor to the annual PUSHCART PRIZE ANTHOLOGY.
Since 1965, he has given more than one thousand poetry readings, lectures, and seminars on the national
poetry circuit. He has introduced a number of literary evenings at New York City's 92nd Street YMHA Poetry
Center, including those honoring Anne Sexton, Miller Williams, Joseph Heller, Anthony Hecht, and James
Dickey.
ENSKYMENT JOURNAL contains exceptional poems that have appeared in print or online journals. Since
publication rights return to poets on publication, they are free to allow reprints of their work. To nominate a
poem for inclusion, embed it in the text area of an email addressed to hawk@enskyment.org. Include the poet's
email address and the name of the journal of original publication.
publication rights return to poets on publication, they are free to allow reprints of their work. To nominate a
poem for inclusion, embed it in the text area of an email addressed to hawk@enskyment.org. Include the poet's
email address and the name of the journal of original publication.