the hero

forgot exactly what impulse

drove him/her to med school,

like an idealistic lawyer forgets

quickly,

the way that they thought

“justice” would prevail in the

courtroom &

bases the rest of their lives on

filling the pockets---

this doctor wants to be the hero &

working in the cancer ward,

this is an easier feat than

one might want to think---

taking the personal life or the

lack thereof, out on the patients

who depend on his/her every word

& then with a holding of the hand,

with a touch of the head,

with a gentle voice &

perfected bedside manner,

s/he lies through the teeth

when telling the dying

how long they have to live,

betting low,

so that if the patient lives longer,

s/he will look like

the hero.