tender
when I look around me
the world is very bright
it is so light and shiny
that my long bones shiver
I am not quite sure
that I have what it takes
to stay alive in this world
I need to stay very still
and let the air move past
and through me
I am tired and tender
when my limbs meet each other
crossing on my lap
I want to cry
with the pleasure
of resting them
when tears come
my bones turn to water
and I sleep
About this poem
This poem is included in the anthology Tools of the Trade: Poems for new doctors (Scottish Poetry Library, 2014). The anthology was edited by Dr Lesley Morrison, GP; Dr John Gillies, GP and Chair, Royal College of GPs in Scotland, Rev Ali Newell, and Lilias Fraser. A copy was given to all graduating doctors in Scotland in 2014. We are very grateful for the individual donations which funded the cost of this anthology, and to the Deans of the Scottish medical schools who made it possible to give the books to their graduating students.
