More than a 1000 pages
5000 cards; 7 books.
Memorized all the stages,
Still one experience is all it took.
I had walked in prepared,
My finest scrubs tucked in neat.
I walked in but was scared,
My heart skipped a beat.
The first patient walked in – a burka all black.
The first patient looked lost with fear in her eyes.
The first patient pulled out notes of a torn beige sack.
The first patient looked up and then started to cry.
The words on the notes were messy and misspelled.
The ‘d’s switched for ‘b’s,
I found the author – a young child who she held.
Looking up with familiar tears — “Help Please”
I took the note from her and read
“No Inglis..Pashto only”
She was my patient; I couldn’t comprehend
I was helpless and she was lonely.
My first patient was worried.
They said we can’t help.
My first patient’s care was hurried.
I can’t imagine what she felt.
My first patient was still trying to say something.
And as I stood there
I did nothing.
Leave a Reply