A Deep Sigh
She entered the clinic today with tears filling her eyes,
And stared in silence as if tomorrow’s sun won’t rise.
I tried to inquire and find the main reason behind her cry,
But she remained silent and responded only with a deep sigh.
A sigh that reminded me of one of my patient’s last breath,
A sigh that told me all that I needed to know about her health.
I didn’t need a stethoscope to listen to her ailed heart,
Nor a CT scan to read the thoughts that are tearing her apart,
And surely did not need an indirect ophthalmoscope,
To look into her eyes and know that she’s losing hope…
So I listened to her silence and wished that she disclosed more,
Only to quickly regret it when she said “I have stage four.”
Four humbling words that bash all diplomas hanging on the wall,
And remind us physicians that we still can’t cure it all.
So I held her hand and gave her a tissue to wipe her tear,
And gently said: “Worry not, we’re in it together dear.”
