Wise Old Women
The old lady barged in, slamming the door
Where she gets strength, don’t really know
Smirking and cursing all the way
Came and sat on the stool besides me
Then in her usual, faked stern voice
Gave a list what’s troubling her
From headaches to acidity to lack of sleep
Loss of appetite to many more things
I also watched, with fake seriousness
For her long long list, to finally end
Waiting for what, always came after
A mischievous smile, wide on her face
That was craggy, with lines of age
Sagging skin, all white hair
But the child in her eyes, had never grown old
Said I’ve came, just to meet and gossip
Things I have learned, since we met last time
We talked about everything, under sun
Gained trinkets of wisdom, laced with fun
From a wise old women
Who never lost innocence
Some moments are etched, in the memory
©️ShashikantDudhgaonkar
PS: Lost this patient, a dear friend and a human being par excellence to Covid last year. Some people are extremely difficult to forget. She was one of those.
I’m sorry for your loss Shashi. She seemed a delightful person.
Yes she was. In the overloaded OPD when I used to be tired after seeing a lot of patients, her visit used to leave me rejuvenated.
It was a loss. But during our interactions, I gained a lot from her. Most importantly she taught me to be childlike and never lose Innocence.
She worked hard, managing cows and buffaloes which she had, till the end even when there was no need. For she had sons and grandsons to do the work.
Being a doctor gives you the privilege to meet common people by conventional norms but who have many hidden facets and attributes that are just too good. Rather awesome.
Very true Shashi. It’s a privilege to spend quality time with your patients and to treat them as individuals, not just patients.