The Surgeon Poem by Richard Lackman

Today I sadly watched a patient die
Despite my efforts to halt his disease
He used his time on earth to beautify
His surroundings and put us at ease

His life was not unusual or grand
Yet he displayed nobility and grace
He sought no pity and made no demands
While equanimity he did embrace

His death was neither publicized nor known
Beyond his friends and his small family
And yet his dignity and courage shone
With brilliant light for all mankind to see

And so it is for us to understand
That though we do not always save the life
It is our task to weather and withstand
That which we cannot conquer with a knife