The BlueIris Semi-Nightly Poetry Break, 11/5/07

[BlueIris]

"To A Good Doctor"

A good doctor is hard to find these days
I've heard, though by some blind luck
I stumbled through this door
in the worst need, finding one.
You have not inhaled the fear of touch,
the stifling propriety that elevates
the impersonal to an art.
Your heart is wiser.

You are no shaman, you'd say,
but the knowingest wizards
were all Celts—Merlin and his tribe
cheerfully dispensing mercy,
throwing an arm over the shoulder
boyish, brave. They'd grin like you
to say, "we'll deal with this."

And so we have the x-rays, little hammers,
and amplifiers of every sort, but mostly,
you listen to the words and ask questions,
waiting to hear an answer.
You do not pretend.

Understanding being a skill
not taught in many white halls
since Greece,

I like to think you learned it
at some master's knee,
or at some mother's,
so wise and firm the comfort
that joins hands with healing
and you, togaed Aesculapius
in that white coat.

—Nancy A. Henry

[ThomCat]

1. A doctor who doesn't jump to the easiest conclusion

is worth Gold!

And I'd be amazed if more poems haven't been written about this.

[BlueIris]

2. I'm currently trying to get my hands on a book called "Blue on Blue Ground."

It's a book of poems written by a New York gay man who says he hates doctors, but still managed to include a series of poems in his book in praise of his own physician, whom he actually liked.

[ThomCat]

3. Cool.

I can complain about doctors nearly endlessly. But at the same time I can praise some of my doctors almost as endlessly. And I can definitely see where a gay perspective, and a NYC perspective would both add a lot of character and depth to the writing.

If you find it, please give us a review.

[Perseid]

4. I didn't see it coming

these thoughts of mine
that were matched so closely with images
in my incessantly questioning mind

i didn't see it coming
these actions of yours
from words that came of thoughts
that dance incessantly with our images

i didn't see it coming
these peaceful days
that seemingly never disappear from my heart
yet my mind is unable to fathom
enough to question

these thoughts of mine
matched so closely
with your thoughts
that dance so incessantly
with my images

I didn't see it coming

edit: just a kick

[BlueIris]

5. Kick.

[Perseid]

6. after all this time

somethin' ain't right with folks!

kick