FILED

Coffee gone cold in the cup holder Map app glowing on the dash Should be rolling up on wrecks and rollovers But we’re hunting ghosts in the grass You call out “Left! There’s a rare one spawning!” I kill the lights, pull to the curb Heartbeat should race for a patient, calling But it’s just this pixelated world Code blue, Pikachu What the hell did we turn into? Sirens quiet, conscience loud We’re chasing monsters Letting people down Blue, Pikachu Every spin of the wheels feels cruel Oath on our tongues, phone in our hands We’re paramedics with cartoon plans We park outside the old mall entrance Lure up, “just ten minutes more” Radio crackles, someone needs assistance You tap mute and lock the door Ambulance feels like a rolling arcade Lives on hold for a lucky catch Every “gotcha” tastes a little like shame Every laugh leaves another scratch Code blue, Pikachu What the hell did we turn into? Sirens quiet, conscience loud We’re chasing monsters Letting people down Blue, Pikachu Every spin of the wheels feels cruel Oath on our tongues, phone in our hands We’re paramedics with cartoon plans How many hearts flatlined While we watched that screen light? How many names on charts We’ll never see, we’ll never write? I see their faces in the windshield glare Like they’re staring through the glass at our empty chairs We traded duty for a digital high (so high) Tell me partner Were we saving lives or just our pride? Code blue, Pikachu What the hell did we turn into? Sirens quiet, conscience loud We’re chasing monsters, letting people down Blue, Pikachu From the bay back home This guilt won’t move Oath on our tongues Blood on our hands We’re paramedics with cartoon plans

This chart was electronically reviewed by Synthetic Medic Medical Center. Accuracy may vary depending on staffing, caffeine levels, and whether anyone actually read the note.