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A bit obvious perhaps, but I like the NHS 60th anniversary poem:

These Are The Hands by Michael Rosen

These are the hands
That touch us first
Feel your head
Find the pulse
And make your bed.

These are the hands
That tap your back
Test the skin
Hold your arm
Wheel the bin
Change the bulb
Fix the drip
Pour the jug
Replace your hip

These are the hands
That fill the bath
Mop the floor
Flick the switch
Soothe the sore
Burn the swabs
Give us a jab
Throw out sharps
Design the lab.

And these are the hands
That stop the leaks
Empty the pan
Wipe the pipes
Carry the can
Clamp the veins
Make the cast
Log the dose
And touch us last.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: UK medical/ health care library community / information workers
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Prince Hannah (RQW) Pr
Alexandra Hosp Tr
Sent: 08 October 2009 15:27
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: (Not work-related) National Poetry Day

Today's Guardian has a piece on this collection of 4 poems about care
homes & hospices: newly commissioned & free to download from
http://www.ecclesiastical.com/aboutus/whatwedo/peoplewhocare/.

(But my top pick for health-related poetry would be UA Fanthorpe's first
book Side Effects: example here
http://www.peterloopoets.com/html/collected_poems.html )

Hannah

Hannah Prince
Knowledge & Library Services Manager
Library, Parndon Hall
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust Hamstel Rd, Harlow, Essex CM20
1QX

Tel 01279 827112 / 827021
Email [log in to unmask]
Fax 01279 445101
http://www.eel.nhs.uk


-----Original Message-----
From: UK medical/ health care library community / information workers
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Andrew Jackson
Sent: 08 October 2009 15:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: (Not work-related) National Poetry Day

Well, since Don Paterson (or 'The Don' as we like to call him in poetry
circles) won the Forward prize for his new collection 'Rain' last night,
here's one from that book:


http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=237466


Not particularly cheery!




Andrew Jackson
Senior Information Manager
Knowledge Services Group
NHS Education for Scotland
Clifton House (1st Floor)
Clifton Place
Glasgow G3 7LD

e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
Tel:  0141 352 2917
Mobile: 07896 178366
www.shelcat.org 
 
 


>>> "Bishop, Tom" <[log in to unmask]> 08/10/2009 14:34 >>>
Bits of Me by Roger McGough (hopefully the formatting will survive the
transition to mail servers!)

When people ask: 'How are you?'
I say, 'Bits of me are fine.'
And they are. Lots of me I'd take
anywhere. Be proud to show off.

But it's the bits that can't be seen
that worry. The boys in the backroom
who never get introduced.
The ones with the Latin names

who grumble about the hours I keep
and bang on the ceiling
when I'm enjoying myself. The overseers.
The smug biders of time.

Over the years our lifestyles
have become incompatible.
We were never really suited
and now I think they want out.

One day, on cue, they'll down tools.
Then it's curtains for me. (Washable
plastic on three sides.) Post-op.
Pre-med. The bed nearest the door.

Enter cheerful staff nurse (Irish
preferably). 'And how are you today?'
(I see red.) Famous last words:
'Bits of me are fine.' On cue, dead.


Tom Bishop | Information Services Manager | Library and Information
Services The Royal College of Surgeons of England | 35-43 Lincoln's Inn
Fields | London WC2A 3PE
t: 020 7869 6530 | e: [log in to unmask] | w:
http://www.rcseng.ac.uk<http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/>


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