the hero

forgot exactly what impulse
drove him/her to med school,
like an idealistic lawyer forgets
quickly,
the way that they thought
“justice” would prevail in the
courtroom &
bases the rest of their lives on
filling the pockets---
this doctor wants to be the hero &
working in the cancer ward,
this is an easier feat than
one might want to think---
taking the personal life or the
lack thereof, out on the patients
who depend on his/her every word
& then with a holding of the hand,
with a touch of the head,
with a gentle voice &
perfected bedside manner,
s/he lies through the teeth
when telling the dying
how long they have to live,
betting low,
so that if the patient lives longer,
s/he will look like
the hero.