Home » Poems » Di11y Da11y » The Clinic of Dr Gross - Thomas Eakins

The Clinic of Dr Gross - Thomas Eakins

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Di11y Da11y.

those daring explorations of inner flesh the "I know best" of paring innovators confident to indoctrinate their own ideas the subject, the experiment, alive, obscured body part: "thigh" on the stage a prop for the theatrics of greater men the mothers anguish, painted so important to contrast against that of the clinical the next flesh cutters motivation, skill, dedication unknown earn the right to unquestioned competence bloody fingers will find a rag marvellous minds, turn waiting a drag we tried madam, but encountered a snag the strength of stomachs that never gag gathered gentleman, glory is in the bag

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Susan Ashley

Date: 9/5/2024 4:55:00 PM

Dear DD, your dramatic imagery captures the scene with artistic intensity. I especially appreciated the monorhyme of the last stanza, it adds an extra attention grabbing element to a vivid and intriguing piece. Congratulations for your win in Charlotte’s contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Crystol Woods

Date: 9/5/2024 7:48:00 AM

Amazing! What a work of art... and the painting isn't bad either ha ha. You've allowed the contempt, bitterness to come out between the lines which is so right for this! Wonderful! Xoxo

Di11y Da11y
Date: 9/5/2024 9:42:00 AM

I think surgeons etc need to have a God complex to have the confidence and self belief to do what they do. All the progress of the modern age was built upon the educated guesses of the past. Interesting to consider for this poem, thanks for your comment :)

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 9/5/2024 5:02:00 AM

Great, DD! The use of monorhyme, at the poem’s end, gets our attention. inner flesh, “I know best,” the introduction to the “thigh.” Congratulations on your second place win!

Di11y Da11y
Date: 9/5/2024 9:39:00 AM

I'm not sure what came over me haha! I was just looking to write something outside the norm, so I'm pleased it worked out :)

Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 9/5/2024 3:41:00 AM

i thought this was an intriguing, well written piece, with a morbidly haunting quality; it stood out and stuck in my mind..obviously i couldn't see the painting when i was judging, but seeing it now i think you've created a great poetic interpretation of the visual - well done, and congrats on your placement in my contest :)

Charlotte Puddifoot
Date: 9/5/2024 4:50:00 AM

it conjured something quite morbid and gruesome, but i wasn't sure exactly what! i always like 'alternative' :)

Di11y Da11y
Date: 9/5/2024 3:48:00 AM

Thank you Charlotte! As I wrote with the benefit of the painting it's hard to imagine what it invokes without it - likely a much worse scene! When I saw you had a contest I thought I'd go a little alternative and bizarrely this gained my interest as I was reading a book on art at the time and this was included. I'm thrilled to place with an unpretty poem - thank you for being such an open minded judge :)

David Kavanagh

Date: 8/31/2024 12:16:00 PM

Quite a painting to interpret Dilly, so much going on in the (operating room) for the want of a better word, myself I have mixed emotions about these early surgeons, who had no fear of botching the job, and were oblivious to a sterile environment, yes these guys played god, but without them modern operating techniques would never have evolved, A grizzly one to tackle here, but you held your nerve, for a very successful operation on your part, cheers David

Di11y Da11y
Date: 9/1/2024 4:51:00 AM

It's really quite interesting especially how massively things have changed (and how dramatically they changed then over a short period). The basis of building on the thoughts and assumptions that come before because otherwise the thought could perhaps never be conceived is mind blowing. If all knowledge was lost now what would starting again look like? Perhaps barbaric amputations etc. seems illogical but even with the knowledge of the art of the possible what could be done? And if so, how useful therefore is way out thought experiments as a catalyst to invention? :) :) :)

David Kavanagh
Date: 9/1/2024 3:34:00 AM

Apparently the (half guy) with the white cuff, just to the right of the entrance is Eakins himself sketching the operation for this painting!

Di11y Da11y
Date: 9/1/2024 3:08:00 AM

Thought I'd pick something a bit different for Charlotte's contest :) it's fascinating as it's a real scene. They are attempting to save the limb which was definitely better than amputation as a solution but why the frock coat Dr Gross!?