humbled was I at the waiting room door
New patient meets seasoned doctor, her role -
pick up where the other left off before
How does one cram 66 years into
one hour's exam...hope she won't retire soon.
The lump in my throat grew as loosened my shoe,
causing the slip on wet maple leaves strewn
Elbow and knees met the pebbled pavement;
sometimes life seems like being in a cartoon
I chose her to be my new confidante
She will soon learn that I'm a crazy loon
Doctor, oh, doctor, my story is long -
connections I have but no real roots yet
Tears welled up when I should have sung a song,
some saw my fall but right on by they sped
Disheveled with minor skin scrapes, I knew
a wrench had been cast into the feeling
of honeymoon new; always a good clue,
my smugness brought to an abrupt reeling
My doctor, wise doctor, listened and poked
"New to the island, I said"... understood.
Noticing my new woolen scarf was soaked,
she replied, "your blood pressure is quite good!"
I realized that, after a big move,
things have a way of catching up with you
Certain matters resurface I'm behooved
to believe, to remind us not all's new
"Come back in a month and we'll do blood work..
eat all your green veggies, buy better shoes"
she said, "follow the path that by some quirk,
brought you thus far. Keep the feet warm with socks, too."
Tony at dversepoets.com asks us to write an Ode..Neruda style...well his are sensual and beautiful and I am not in the frame of mind to attempt a similar one...therefore, something that happened the other day is what I wrote about..
It sounds like you have yourself an understanding doctor, Katy. Quite understanding, in fact. I liked her practical advice at the end.
ReplyDeleteI got lucky
DeleteYou have made your relationship with your doctor to be envied., I hope you show it to him. >KB
ReplyDelete..thank you...I couldn't find your blog?
DeleteNeruda's odes are indeed sensual and beautiful - but they also have humour in them. I mean, comparing his own feet to decrepit firemen ... smiles.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your poem, Katy - and it sounds like you have found a good doctor who is not afraid to give simple, practical advice.
I appreciate that Tony
DeleteIt's so hard to find a good doctor. Hope this one works for you for many years to come!
ReplyDelete;)
DeleteI hate going to doctors but we must for regular check ups and what not ~ Here, its free so it doesn't bother me to visit them every so often and be told exactly what my mom used to tell me - eat your veggies ~ Hope you are feeling better Katy ~
ReplyDelete;)
Deletehaha...she sounds like quite the practical lady... always love people who are straightforward and down to earth....good choice with your new doc..smiles
ReplyDeleteSo good that such doctors exist. Love the shoe advice .. sounds very good.
ReplyDeleteyes,,
Deletesmiles...good to have that kinda connection with your doc...ours is always so busy it seems like it is a fly by when you do get to see them....makes me think of the way doctors were before we got so busy....
ReplyDelete....it started with "A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!"
DeleteYour imagery is so concrete. There is a line in each stanza that flashes a snapshot in my mind-- pebbled pavement, woolen scarf...
ReplyDeleteThank you ;)
DeleteInteresting. I love the subject choice for your ode. I hope you're okay! :-)
ReplyDeleteam just fine..just a little injured pride ;)
DeleteA caring doctor. Glad you found one but sorry for your fall - hope you are OK.
ReplyDeleteThanks ;)
DeleteSets you back, doesn't it just. A fall like that. Creates both anger and humuliation in first instance.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you ended up in safe hands and that nothing major seems amiss.
You should send her a copy of this.
I will take it to her on next visit ;) just clumsy walking to the doctor office..
DeleteYou meet new doctor
ReplyDeleteDoctor meets new...YOU!
Bound by oath, she
in her eyes you see compassion, confidence, willingness to be yur "health-partner" and confidante.
All this I read in your words, good ode, kkkkatie!
(Did you mention your lisp?) --grinning!!!! :-)
Ha! It was obvious as was my slightly hunched back ;-) Thank you
DeleteGood to have an understanding with someone to be entrusted with one's confidential matters. Not easy to build up the trust in a new one but the doc here seemed ok. Beautiful write Kathy!
ReplyDeleteHank
Thank you, Hank
Deletesometimes I wonder if they drum compassion out of doctors in med school. sounds like not this one :) ~
ReplyDeleteWonderful! For everyone who ever had to move and get older and feel the ground slipping out from under our feet, I thank you.
ReplyDeleteA new doctor is a great topic for an ode! "How does one cram 66 years into / one hour's exam..." - Great line!
ReplyDeleteHopefully, you have better luck with your doctor than I've had in the past.
ReplyDeleteKeep your feet warm and wear socks..wishing you well...
;)
DeleteThis has a lovely sweetness and a real sense of the interchange. Thanks. This is karin of Manicddaily.
ReplyDelete