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Why crying over a terminal patient made me a better doctor - Chicago Tribune

the red ran ... trickled slowly from mouth's corner down to where it disappeared beneath the collar of the little boy's SpongeBob t-shirt - bleached white turning crimson ... the streak wound its bloody path across cooling cappuccino skin, a tender surface that only moments earlier was aglow with the salty sweat of play - tingling with the soft breath of afternoon ... the doctor watched another rill of blood run south on the child's neck as he cradled the wee, limp body in his arms and thought, (in irony), how its weaving traces reminded him of the soft, gentle sweep of a cob swan's wake ... the early-morn pattern left in the glassy surface of the lake where he once lived as a lad ... where this beautiful, broken child might have been - should have been, certainly - were it not for the chances of birth and the horrid, senseless accursed hand ... of war.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021




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Date: 1/30/2021 12:13:00 PM
Congratulations on your win. WOW!!! A sad yet wonderful write. Enjoy your win/day with blessings....................
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Date: 1/29/2021 3:22:00 AM
A write that is as poignant as it is brilliant Gregory. "All war is a symptom of man's failure.." (Steinbeck)
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Date: 1/24/2021 12:05:00 PM
You my friend have nailed it! Such a heart wrenching imagery presented on the senseless tragedy that is-WAR! Even more so the sorrow of its costs upon the innocent, the children. A truly great poem. And a fav..
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/25/2021 2:23:00 AM
Many kind thanks to you, Robert, for this wonderfully heart-felt comment - it means a great deal to me - so pleased you enjoyed this one. Blessings!
Date: 1/23/2021 10:40:00 AM
Gregory, A poem called 'if only'; a fitting name. Dragged me out of my comfort zone for a moment. Though images have desensitized us, your poem put me right there in the moment. -Richard
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/25/2021 2:22:00 AM
This is a very kind and honest comment, my friend, and I so greatly appreciate it. Blessings to you for a wonderful 2021! :o)
Date: 1/19/2021 10:52:00 AM
Ah, amazing stuff! Your presence here is refreshing, Greg:-) I'm so glad you drop by here with stellar poetry every now and then, my friend!
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/25/2021 2:21:00 AM
Thanks, Buddy - I DO miss this place all-in-all, and a few people like yourself who don't require comments for friendship. Blessings to you, my friend! I'm finally getting over my Covid! :o)
Date: 1/19/2021 5:51:00 AM
Wow. so sad and startling, a gasp of putrid smoky air filled with dread and grief and staggering gulps of pain. Wow. such a poem - God bless you my friend
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/25/2021 2:18:00 AM
Thank you so very much, Gina - blessings. <3

Book: Shattered Sighs