••Spring 2005/Vol. 9, No. 3

Soul of the Healer

Ode to Physicians
By Tom Janisse, MD

At day's end, who do I
see in my patient's eyes
as I look in to listen?
Automated chart note?
CPT 99214?
or overbook five?

I view in her face
Mrs Yinder's twitch,
Mrs Olive's tear,
Mr Sila's droop,
Mr Garren's wink;
all visit for care.
Close air clouds our face.

A spot of blue! Ryan,
blinks then winces, clutches

his ear, his sole concern.

I too am a parent,

a child, and a patient.

Insight for me now
at another day's end:
Can that be enough to feel
therefore I am?
My schedule, my watch,
my palm pilot don't
hold my heart.

My heart holds

my head in

my hands.

What I give in visit
after visit after
visit all day long
I take home.
Ryan meets my son,
Mrs Yinder greets my
wife, Mr Sila calls
my dad across
the country.
With these people
at wit's end at home
I feel fulfilled.

Is this Tuesday?

Thursday?

It's day's end.

 

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