D&C
D&C. Such a simple sounding thing. If it were C&D, We might add it to our alphabet song. Arrange soft & sauced alphagetti, Or lettered sugar sweet breakfast, But pasta nor cereal Comes up or goes down During a D&C. The heartbeat was hard to find. Clinic, emerge. I thought I could find it – […]
On curiosity
The harbour seal bobs, tilts, eyes. Its appearance silky, Slides amongst waves. A presence which denotes curiosity: “What the heck are those black animals doing freestyle?” Its being more accustomed to tanked, oxygenated deep divers. Above and below surface, It explores. It questions. Flips and turns, bubbles and bobs. Dynamic question marks, Inn-acted with fins. […]
Narratives 2 (The Narrative of CaRMS)
This isn’t art-fully presented (yet perhaps), but a sketch of some memories I want to remember that are quickly fading. The narrative of 3 weeks. Reflected. Of meeting new friends, Some recognized from the big screen, Or from cities in our collective past, Mere few days or few flights back. Site visits at local gluten-free […]
Narratives
I’m reminded of texture Today, as light reflects. Off grass stalks straight, Cedar hedges scaled wild. And context – The here now why how. How narrative weaves The text of texture, context. The lightness, darkness, in between, Gives voice to both. Or rather all. The here now why how. Those stories and feelings, Reflecting more. […]
SNOW
* This poem and photo are anonymous contributions from our Northern colleague in the NMP SNOW NMP author – anonymous I have come to know you As a breathe of the seasons As the constancy I look to in my life Like your perfectly shaped crystals That gently remind me Me and daddy sliding down […]
Reflections on Life 2
The curves are simple, Beautiful. A mound. Sits silent, illuminated. Painted with purple, While red drips. A growing being, 34 weeks? Beyond? Time ambiguous, The curves, Life’s bends, Overwhelm. Pregnancy confirmed. Bleeding, Beating, Bodies muddle, gown. In quiet, blade waits. Since words fumble, Questions abandoned, Silent respects. Resiliency, despite. The strength in those curves.
Musings From The North Wind
coral girl sitting on the edge of a cliff hair slowly shedding, nails ripped away lines mapping a birdlike face, thinned and yellow papyrus we push, you pull a playground tug of war or are we soldiers, blocking the charge riot shield stopping the longest fall to swim the depths below, every […]
The facts
The fact that you stand as I sit, And you pace as I listen. And read how you were deferred From yet another orthopedic surgeon. The fact that you’re barely older than me, With joints traumatized by dislocations. A congenital condition like loose elastic bands, And desire joint replacements as kids prefer lolli’s. The fact […]
Status quo
It angered me this am, While relaying your story to my staff physician, That when I said you were Aboriginal, It seemed to legitimize The fact that you’re here, The fact that you’re dying Too early, just like 3 of your siblings already. With a heart that’s tired, Vessels clogged, ravaged by toxic levels of […]
Sometimes I Wonder
I wonder sometimes, Between 3am ward calls, And figuring out Abx dosing – Never mind what bugs we’re fighting… How you’re doing, Beyond jokes about hospital food, A great view, a good book. I wonder how you feel when I ask you What you know and why you’re here, And you respond “my heart’s on […]
A rash
I remember today why I love medicine, Why I chose this life, Which regularly has me questioning my own sanity. On my last week of 3rd year. In dermatology [an unexpected spot for insight]. Though to call it medicine, Without hesitation is a misnomer – I prefer the social[slash]medicinal side of things, Which rarely, though […]
Finding freedom through words
(Disclaimer: this is not really health-related per say, but rather is more about writing and the process of finding and celebrating its utility in my own life.) I want to dive dolphins without splash, Fly with these unfeathered, unflighted arms, Leap over great lakes and dead seas, Challenge my shadow to double double, triple speed. […]
little ditties
she holds her truth behind her teeth and smiles small and strained the certainty of honesty is the certainty of pain of knowing that you are on a path to flayed skin and charred hearts fire is a cleansing force but the brushfire is not an inconsequential addition to a long list of casualties […]
Grief
heaving sobs raw wound exposed snot and tears soaking my shoulder holding tight, holding on howling, guttural paroxysms coming in waves hiccupping for breath then spent
Thoughts from the front lines (Emergency)
Live deliberately. Say yes, and say no. Ask, look, listen and touch. Believe in your gut. Fist pump, snap and Smile often. And do it for you. First. The “experts” sit on rolling chairs. But the truth rests on front lines. On soles of shoes, finger nails, heart sounds. Seek your own. Talk, question, explore. […]
Yes, I bleed.
This was written after reflecting on a long gynecology call shift… Yes, I bleed. Or rather I used to, Until this thing was inserted into my vagina. An Intrauterine System, they call it. Or Merena, if you prefer a softer, more human name. And my monthly flow, moontime, as you will – Well, that now […]
the mistress
moody and flush with the glow of midnight kisses and sharp lavender curling to bless the back of my throat I was ill equipped to sweep into your room my majesty garish in the face of bleached roses on your cheeks ivy winding up and choking out your voice parched earth mapping your lips fissures […]
Wow, the residents talk fast.
Of places we need to be, times we need to note. Topics we need to know, acronyms we yet don’t. Such that we type them into our brain phones. Tap tap tap like starving woodpeckers probe wood for worms, As if this slippery sustenance of knowledge could Replace the companion on each new rotation: A […]
Spring
Bulbs birth from flexibilizing soil, Smiles jump on sun rays, Parks fill, kids swing, kites soar. Possibility reaches to sky, open. Meanwhile, uteruses ache. Apparently. Your question re: freezing, Discords with the winded daffodils, That dance outside our clinic windows. You too reach for possibility, That current situation doesn’t afford. Ready for birth, to rock […]
On Call Poetry #2
written in a call room. Cathedrals every time you moan I flinch you writhe. twist. keen low and deep and powerful “It’s primal” they tell me “It’s beauty” they coo so why am I watching you? why are my hands clenched brown gloves cinched over a green gown sweat sliding down the back of […]