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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

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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!

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.

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.

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...

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

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?