The Mindful Doctor

Mindfulness in Medicine

Mindful Prescriptions

Mindfulness Expressions from the Heart

October 2009

Mourning Rounds

“Good morning,” I said.

“Come closer,” she asked.

I usually did not, could not,

standing in the doorway.

“Do you need anything?”

“Come closer,” she said.

“I am close.” I thought.

The room was small, filled by her bed.

“I mean near the bed - next to me - so I can see you.”

I moved closer, foreseeing her death, which I could not prevent.

“I like it when you are close.”

I moved even closer, reaching for her hand.

“That’s what I really wanted

-to touch your hand – to thank you.”

She smiled, her face aglow,

and I wept silently

as I moved even closer

to kiss her cheek

to thank her

for asking me to come closer

when I thought I could not.

                                                    -- Arvey I. Rogers, M.D., F.A.C.P.

Editors Note: This poem was originally published in The Pharos, WInter 2006.