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Doctor Death

He was known as “Doctor Death,” a serial killer,
“One of the most prolific in recorded history
While practicing medicine in Manchester, England,
He was most disagreeable and rather blustery
Poisoning elderly women with lethal injections
Over 200 victims qualified him a monster chiller.

Seems Harold “Fred” Shipman, wanted control
Over the life and death of his patients, indeed!
Showing no mercy [from early in his career]
The presiding judge said, “he must never be freed!”
Evidence against him was conclusive, of course,
The doctor, it appears, had neither heart nor soul.

In Wakefield Prison, “Fred” committed suicide
By hanging himself with his knotted bed sheet
And rather rapidly passed into horror’s history
His wife and family stood up for him, so sweet—
It seems that his murdering spree started early
In his career…sad that so many innocents died.

SIXTH PLACE WINNER
Written August 3, 2022
Submitted to "Dr. Harold Shipman" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Joe Maverick

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2022

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Christuraj Alex Date: 9/3/2022 1:26:00 AM Many died, of course. Sad story. Doctor killing the patients. Truth apart, beautifully written. Congratulations! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 9/3/2022 9:18:00 AM I appreciated your thoughts, Chris.

Sam Kauffman Date: 8/9/2022 10:41:00 AM I always wonder what happens to one like "Fred" Shipman between the innocence of youth and the monster that emerges in adulthood. I guess we will never know. Best wishes for the contest. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/9/2022 12:10:00 PM True. I wish there was some way to study the brain after death to see what happens there that might cause this sort of thing.

Caren Krutsinger Date: 8/6/2022 8:04:00 PM Two hundred that they knew about, but how many others? I cannot fathom a doctor being this evil, but I know he could and apparently was. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/6/2022 9:13:00 PM I hope they studied his warped brain. It's just hard to believe anyone could be this cold and cruel and be a medical doctor.

Michael Tor Date: 8/4/2022 7:28:00 AM Heartfelt piece Milton. So sad he killed so many. I don't understand his wife and family support, for a man who killed mercilessly so many. Love blinds peoples judgment, I guess. Great charachter you picked out for the contest. thanks for sharing... Login to Reply Michael Tor Date: 8/4/2022 9:53:00 AM Thank you Milton, I have been busy lately building an area for my dog Tavi, haven't been commenting too much, have to catch up. I might do that, thank you for your suggestion... L Milton Hankins Date: 8/4/2022 7:42:00 AM Actually, he IS the subject of this contest. You love to do research, so you should enter it. I think you'd do well.

Tom Cunningham Date: 8/4/2022 4:10:00 AM I remember him, a right nutcase he was, made all the headlines. Tom Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 8/4/2022 8:25:00 AM There was but it was mainly elderly women. Took easy way out by hanging himself, Fred West was another nut job although not a doctor. L Milton Hankins Date: 8/4/2022 7:42:00 AM He was unbelieveable evil, in my way of thinking, Tom. I wonder if any of his victims were men?