PRAYER OF A SURGEON
IF
I could close my eyes and yet see
The world that has gone past me
Or dreams of things yet to be
Why
Can’t I open my eyes and see
The darkness in the open eyes
Of someone who could never see
The lights of another day
If only
I could feel the pain, as I stand
When he writhes in agony
And cries holding my hand
If
In his wounds , I see Lord’s crucifixion
And the blood that trickles down
Fill my heart with pure compassion
If only
My touch , my speech or eyes
Could blow away the clouds of despair
And turn into smiles what were to be sighs
If
I pray to lord, it is to grant me these
In addition to my skills , to make me happy
Oh Lord ! keep my soul full of empathy
MUKUL
The Silent Wheel
Wheels
Moving in tandem
As the seconds hand
Move on the clock
The unfinished dreams
The frustrations
The sigh
The feeling of being in dumps
After cruising so high
The hands on the arms
Of the wheel chair
Gripping tight
Till the knuckles
Turn white
The frustration
The wrinkle on the forehead
The sweat , the unseen tears
The poignancy mostly unread
Only a paraplegic knows
What all he silently bears
Feel it with your heart
With its every beat , he hears
The prayers
Silently………….…….
Dedicated to one of my patients , a test pilot who suffered spinal trauma
MUKUL
III
The Inspiration
It is not the critic who counts
Nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled
Or where the doer or the deeds
Could have done them better
The credit belongs to man
Who is actually in the Arena
Whose face is marred by
Dust and sweat and blood
Who strives valiantly
Who errs and comes short again and again
Who knows great enthusiasm , the great devotions
Who spends himself in a worthy cause
Who at the best
Knows in the end – the triumph of high achievements
And who , at the worst
If he fails , at least fails while
Daring greatly
So that his place shall never be
With those timid souls
Who knows neither victory , nor defeat
THEODORE ROOSEVELT