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••Spring 2005/Vol. 9, No. 2


2004 Vohs and Lawrence Awards;
A Focus on Evidence-Based Medicine

Editorial CommentsAbstracts from articles published in other journalsCommentary Clinical articles on the practice of Permanente medicinePoetry, Art, Musings from Permanente clinicians
KP in the Community
Articles from a Systems perspective
Physicians in the newsBook Reviews

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Soul of the Healer



Pap | to pdf >>
By Kelly Ann Malone

There comes a time in some girls' lives when modesty
is forced to take a backseat.

When your most prized possession is subject to cold steel and a dollop of lubricant.

Inner thighs still creased from constant crossing are given liberation, and self decency is asked to take a powder.

Forget for a brief moment your reserved existence and open up with confidence, you have not sinned today.


This space, which we have spent most of our years trying to conceal and protect from the deluge of curious gawkers, is exposed without hesitation and prodded by antiseptic fingers. A necessary violation.

We are expected to hide our feelings of propriety while fervently being asked to scoot down ... scoot down ... a little more.


Some of us find no angst in the event. How I envy them. Blessed with the liberal gene.

They also had no problems stripping in PE, and were not shocked when they first menstruated.

As I age, I feel compelled to accept this ritual of indecency and go with the flow.

While I am never ready to offer up my dignity, I know it is essential.

 

 

 

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