Hypertension

The town is draped in rain. It has been for days. Just now, as I bent over, trying to touch my toes, I watched a raindrop running down the window. It looked like mercury rising in a sphygmomanometer as the cuff is inflated. Overinflated in this case. As one would expect, my thoughts turned to salt. The latest studies. Sodium warnings. The Globe is full of it these days. Still upside-down, another drop catches my eye. I think of my stethoscope. Wonder where I put it. It's been years. I'd like to place it over the artery of a day and release the pressure. I want to hear the Korotkoff sounds. The auscultatory gap. I want an accurate reading.