Saturday, September 1, 2012

Cool Hands



<a href="http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=19373&picture=hypodermic-needle">Hypodermic Needle
by Jiri Hodan




Cool hands

Final evidence revs into gear
refresh button unavailable –
doctor bends his oath and
leans, cool hands smooth the white
shift of his strapped number nine –
none gassed anymore 
yet somehow the scent
sweet, and sickening, sliding suddenly 
with the needle, pushing 
certain knowledge coursing 
his own veins 
thrumming his own clear 
culpability
in his first murder 
in the first degree.

21 comments:

  1. Phew! I don't think I'll sign up with that medic!

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  2. Oh wow. I wouldn't be able to do that, animal or human, nope. Not even if someone was sentenced to death (which isn't part of the system where I live).
    Life is pretty darn, fragile isn't it? Look at what one needle can do.
    Like your use of the words here, would've kind of wished this would be a little longer though...
    PS. a few typos plus a few extra the's - might want to read through and check =)
    http://diamondsmadeofglass.blogspot.fi/2012/09/refresh.html

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  3. Great use of all the words in this tight, chilling poem! Now is bending the oath mercy killing or is it murder? Thought provoking!

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    1. Was thinking more executioner than mercy killer - but great spin - that I hadn't intended! Thanks!

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  4. Perhaps this murder is not as unexpected as one might thing?

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  5. This packs a real punch for me--murder in the name of medicine. Chilling and good use of the wordle words.

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  6. I like that the same list of words can lead down a dark, or light path, depending on so many odd bits of bias and experience. Great little chilling tale well executed (pun intended).

    Elizabeth
    http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2012/09/02/unknowing-flight/

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    1. Haha Elizabeth - thank you for stopping by and thank you for the delighted pun! Quite punny! :)

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  7. Wow - this really got me where I live Pearl. I'm mostly against the death penalty and all for "first do no harm" BUT, I know there have been instances where I've felt like I could "pull the switch" myself, I've been that outraged or sickened etc. I can just imagine the dilemma a doctor (most doctors, I would imagine) finds themselves in if presented with this task ... you've captured the essence of that here with careful word choice and brilliant weaving of the wordle words as well ... brava.

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    1. Aw Thank you Sharon - for stopping by and your as usual thoughtful commentary. I am moved by your "brava" ... It means a great deal :)

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  8. bending his oath!? that's seems to be an understatement, unless, as some of my fellow commenters have suggested, it was a merciful deed....taut and exciting tale....

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    1. Or mmmm..... an execution by lethal injection... Thanks for stopping by - enjoyed your interpretation. :)

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  9. A stark slice of poetry very well written Pearl. Nicely done.

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    1. Oh thanks Walt.... this was one where as oft-time occurs with us - we were in the same sensibility... I left a post over at your site... off we go into the "yonder." Again, thanks for stopping by and commenting :)

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  10. Replies
    1. Aw thank you Chris... Taking in the love with a big smile. :)))

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  11. On the edge of my seat...To each Doc there is a specialty. "Bending" is like using "statistics" to tell the truth. Great write. I went with humor:

    http://julesgemsandstuff.blogspot.com/2012/09/sw-72-doughboy.html

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