Gloves are essential for the machine, to separate one's porous skin from the actuality of what one manipulates. For example, gloves prevent exposure to infected blood, or to the bacteria that breed in decaying bodies, or to disturbing notions. They protect against waste (radioactive or otherwise); extreme weather conditions; mutant spiders; sexual and/or emotional sensations; media pundits, politicians, footballers and other demons; worms and parasites; children; broken rocks; and many other by-products of civilised society. Bare touch may indeed be fatal and almost certainly will be morally compromising.

Danita speedily dresses in a disposable apron
and snaps on
latex disposable gloves.
 
Luke is vomiting.
Luke is in special need among Special Needs.
He is choking.
He appears to be between good health and a heart attack.
Support staff rush in and put Luke into the recovery position
but dream Half-Nelsons.
 
Danita calls for a mouth membrane, just in case.
But Luke is ok. It's ok.
Luke's puke is mopped. It's ok.
Danita peels out of her plastic skin and all the debris is sealed.
 
Later, washing up at home in an Old County Map apron,
Danita contemplates a new project: Nelson.
They're going to make ship's biscuits
with real oats - but pipe cleaners
for maggots.
 
Suds run from the Old County Map
and in the bubbles, trapped,
little shreds of carrot.
 
Luke's ok. It's ok.