5/30 (or 59/365): Hippocrates wept

I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.

.

I hope it’s like ten thousand volts

whenever he hears my name

I hope that for each time I held my tongue

his starts and stops and fails

.

I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art

.

When someone gives him the third

and the fourth and the fifth––chance

I want him to remember

the last time we talked, the smile

melting off my face when I put the pieces together

Because I can forgive him, sure

with time

.

In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.

.

But there’s something about trying

to un-see what has been seen

that makes un-experiencing

something that much harder

when there’s still salt in the wound

.

If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all humanity and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my life.