Dec. 17, 2019
Emilia Fox, up to her elbows in death,
focuses on the cadaver for a diagnosis;
her sharp nose detects blood
as she treads through a crime
scene; she catalogues disease
and the victim’s genetics.
Words and pathologists - genetics
has low association compared to death,
which is the word, though diagnosis
features too, also rated is blood.
On telly, adventures of crime
star pathologists, not disease.
In truth, pathologists focus on disease;
consider our genetics;
serve life rather than death;
are seventy percent part of all diagnoses;
particularly successful in blood
illnesses; spend very little time on crime.
They focus on petrie dishes, not crime;
their microscope skills identify disease;
contribute to research in genetics;
reduce incidences of death.
Without them there’d be few diagnoses
that save, or, help with disorders of blood.
Haematologists work successfully with blood
that is cancerous, are not involved with crime;
help with those rare conditions and diseases
caused by a predisposition in genetics.
Their work prevents death,
using their great skill in diagnosis.
The State - involved in diagnosis,
because failures in reporting of blood
sample analyses, possibly a crime -
faced the anger of patients with diseases
that were not part of their genetics.
It probably caused premature deaths.
Unlike Emilia, very few, work with death
or crime. Their gifts are diagnosis, managing
blood diseases and repairing genetics.
Peter Clarke 2019
Clíodhna
18.12.2019 23:43
Virtuosic! xx
Latest comments
25.11 | 22:15
Grief is experience through the mundane. Simple but powerful. The accompanying image really compliments the poem.
07.11 | 11:14
Hi Peter,
A great observation! Social media can be a scary place... I also need to reduce my time there
Hugs,
John.x
06.11 | 16:24
A great one, Peter, in the context you describe. I don't read social media myself, I doubt my equilibrium could stand it. 'The balance of his mind disturbed' yes, I think it would be.
06.11 | 15:59
Yes, gossip is a weapon of mass destruction.
In my business as well as personal life I have zero tolerance.
Echoes of the Old on the New Battlefields
Warrior chiefs of the GAA were early on the field to prepare:
Posts and cones positioned to mark territories
Very young novices came later by parents’ chariots
clad and shod for the ensuing battles
Firstly, paced for speed, resilience and flexibility,
then marked off into opposing teams
Each warrior chief led a young squad of hopefuls
in further exercises to bring them to fit levels
There followed a huddle, an exhortation rant,
responded with clamour of intent and enthusiasm
Skirmishes began, speed across the field, hunt for the ball,
to be delivered as the goal, or to be prevented at all costs
Warrior chiefs egged on, instructed, altered the field of play
the young ’uns complied with fighting spirit
For every fall and hurt spells were cast on the side line
till fitness returned and they were entered back into play
Scores mounted, roars enhanced, casualties grew,
novices flagged and regrouped across the fields
Between bouts came the talks of encouragement
Stay back, pass, pass, pass, keep the pace.
Old hands passing skill onto new palms with dedication,
a gift of generous wisdom gladly given
Peter Clarke
20th April 2024