Homework WE 13/11/17 - A Friend Beyond Compare

[Shelley Hansen]

I was wondering what to do with these prompts, Maureen - until I phoned my aunt who is about to undergo a serious operation next week. She spoke in glowing terms of how her surgeon had calmed her fears and treated her with such respect and dignity that she was no longer apprehensive but was facing the ordeal with confidence and hope. It just seemed to fit ...

A Friend Beyond Compare
(c) Shelley Hansen 4/11/17

She felt the "white coat syndrome" as she sat in some dismay
and heard his words, "Now, let us see - what have we here today?"
She hoped he'd treat her kindly, even though some folk had said,
"They always do the opposite - and their mistakes are dead!"

The doctor sensed her trepidation, and his heart was touched.
He'd seen it many times - the patient's rigid hands were clutched
together till the knuckles gleamed a shiny, bloodless white
while searching for a sign to say that things would be all right.

And so without ferocity, just courage in his eyes,
he spoke with gentle certainty, unwilling to disguise
the risks and the prognosis she would face in just one week,
and yet instilling confidence with words he chose to speak.

She felt a calmness settle on her spirit as his voice
convinced her that this operation was her only choice.
His firm belief that medicine was more than "symptom care"
transformed him from a surgeon to a friend beyond compare.

[Maureen K Clifford]

Well there you go - a little inspired intervention and you turn it into this little gem. Well done you