In Training

Written in 1994; never posted. I worked for a University Medical Hospital for 20 years and don't regret a moment of it. The educational / training going on, with a variety of disciplines and specialties, was invaluable. Anyway, in the midst of that is a daily reality; Doctors in training, under enormous pressure.

Training the Scholars

Cirrhosis caused by too many years
Of IV drugs and a million beers,
Disabled with his Liver disease
He wants a medical miracle please.

On public assistance, he has no job
No health insurance plan to rob,
Sister Euphemia said, “you're in a pickle”
“Don't come to us, if you don't have a nickel”.

So, off to the University joint
We charge triple, that's the point,
All in the name of research and knowledge
You have to remember that this is college.

Last year in Biology, frogs in the Lab
This year an Intern, people on a slab,
Poking around for landmarks  unseen
Unlicensed drivers on every machine.

You chose the lifestyle of abuse and addiction
Now you're begging for help, to reverse the affliction,
You agree to proceed, did you pause to repent?
There's a chance you will die, but you gave us consent.

Your family is angry, they threaten to sue
But you know the truth, the blame is on you,
And it seems like a waste of our healthcare dollars
But then I remember, we're training the scholars.

1994