Clicky

Post Heart Attack Review (poem)

14 June 2024

Giles Dawney is a writer and GP in Leominster, Herefordshire. UK, His web page is www.gilesdawnay.com

 

 

He hit me like a frying pan in the face,
the story of his mother and father
doing the same. Tough muscles coiled
ready for the next predator, small eyes
but quick. Thinning arms awash with story,
meaningful pain inked a once strong bulk.

Can’t sleep unless I’ve had a skinful
his ruddy face flickers. Oscillating fast
between the big man not allowed to cry
and the little boy who chose to survive.
Me dad was an angry boozer, fist marks
through most of the walls. So unsafe

me brother felt, he preferred to steal cars.
Prison seems safer than going back home
he loved to say. And taking the medications?
Feeling so low, must be the new meds Doc.
Since the heart attack Doc, they’ve slowed
me right down. Must be the meds, must be.

Deputy Editor’s note: The above poem, whilst shaped by the author’s experiences does not relate to any particular patient, living or deceased

Featured photo by Zhen Hu on Unsplash

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
trackback

[…] Deputy editor’s note– see also: https://bjgplife.com/post-heart-attack-review-poem/ […]

Latest from Arts

Sparking Up

A moment to spare, what else to do but spark up the screen, taking a deep breath of the hot smoke on offer.*

Notes from a Doctor

A reflective poem from Gen Wong, "Mum said kids are doing fine, stickers I gave were like gold. But now iPhones are the shine — smiling at her, I felt old."

General Practice 179: a doctor, a lawyer, and an artist

"On 29 November 2025, I visited an installation created by the artist, Charlotte Mann. For a few short weeks, before the house was sold, Charlotte curated an exhibition that summarised an exceptional family in their home, 179 Burnt Ash Hill, SE12. The

A poem: nativity

Many around the world celebrate hope at Christmas, with the birth of a baby. This poem explores a mother's very different experience, yet despite it all, her song is underpinned with the same tremulous hope...
1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x