Anger from the past
unresolved
not fully processed and put in its proper place
comes back
out of the blue
from deep within my soul
tearing out of me like an elephant stampede
or maybe a pain filled birth
pounding on my sense of justice
righteousness
dignity
my very worth.
What did that man know anyway?
How many babies did he merely catch
while woman did the work?
While pushing life out into the world
who was he to shush me?
That man in white coat
diploma on wall
doctorate in back or is it front?
of his name.
Man without grace
without wisdom.
Man with plenty of
rude,
arrogant,
small.
Much too small for me.
Judy Morrill Young lives in Granbury, TX with her two fabulous children, Grant and Jill. Other members of the household include their beloved dogs and cats. By trade, Judy is a CPA and a technical editor. She has been writing as a hobby since she was a young girl growing up in Sturgis, SD. Judy’s Mom and friends have encouraged her to start sharing her work with others. Dream Big! Carpe Diem!
Posted on March 23, 2009 in Poems
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32 Responses to “THE DUMB DOCTOR • by Judy Morrill Young”
Comments
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March 23rd, 2009 at 5:39 am
Amazing reflection on the sanctity of life . . . and our need for others to honor our “holy moments.” Keep the pen moving, girlfriend!
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:44 am
Unfortunately I think that speaks to the experience of a lot of women in times past. Things are supposed to better these days but I sometimes doubt it. Powerful poem.
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:56 am
Oh, Judy. I still love this poem. You get such great emotion into it. Well done! I would have given it a 5, but I guess someone from work already voted on it, because it won’t let me vote.
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:23 am
A strong voice. Well done.
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:24 am
You did it! Keep those creative juices flowing.
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:28 am
When I read the first paragraph of this poem I thought, “here is a great poem, an excellence of imagery and deep feeling about the painfulness of old unresolved injustices.” But the second paragraph tears it down to a petty battle of the sexes. Men do work, and some women do “shushing,” with or without “doctorates”. What is meant in this poem by “shushing” anyway?” Surely such a painful “stampede” of anger and such well-written and affecting lines must have more of a cause than petulance.
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:40 am
Beautiful poem, Judy. I’m so glad you’re sharing your gift with the world! Congrats!
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:44 am
Judy,
I loved your poem! I had positive birthing experiences with my children and none of it had to do with the doctors. It was a spiritual journey with God, my kids and myself. I wonder how often doctors give credit to divine intervention or guidance when they work – no matter what their specialty is. Keep writing, you have alot of talent!
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:01 am
Nice artful writing. A opinion generally accepted by many people, presented in a specific situation.
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:55 am
Wonderful and not at all a battle of the sexes. I understood this from my struggles with breast feeding in a day and time when it was totally unacceptable. I’m sure I spoke with this doctor back then. He along with my mother-in-law robbed me of the experience with my first child. Then with the next child I had the doctor who listened, who never shushed. His wife even offered to come to my home to help me with the process which was succesful to the surprise of baby’s doctor.
“Man with out grace…wisdom” excellent.
Also what makes a great poem is the reaction/emotion it creates with in the reader. There is no unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered, peevish when it comes to health issues. Each time a doctor refuses our questions it is time to remind self that this person is small, not our question. Once a doctor answered my question about a proceedure for early detection of breast cancer with his own question dripping is disdain. “Is this something you saw on Oprah this morning?” Needless to say I never went back to that “small”.
Wonderful poem to help me think and feel “large” …to entertain questions different from my own.
March 23rd, 2009 at 10:48 am
[...] my writing group mate, Judy, has published her first poem, “The Dumb Doctor.” It is the poem of the day today at Every Day Poets. I helped her crit this one, and I think it is a [...]
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:18 am
A well-written poem: the best revenge.
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:25 am
Great poem Judy!! I’m so thrilled for you to have it published. Keep on sharing!!
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:40 am
From one who’s felt “shushed” by those in authority her whole life and who is so tired of the “small.”
Listening…….really listening…….is so much harder than shushing…….but so much more productive. And, the results are NOT the same, no matter how it may appear at first.
Wonderful poem, sister!
March 23rd, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Judy!
I am so proud to have you as a dear friend and you are such a talented writer and I am SO happy that you have your work up! I love this poem, very powerful! I love you SO much!
March 23rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I loved this highly personal, extremely pertinent poem. Particularly the opening stanza – felt it was very effective.
Unfortunately, different mistakes are being made these days – due to overworked, under-resourced maternity units where everyone would like to give their best – but haven’t the time…
March 23rd, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Judy! Go ahead and seize the moment. It’s great to know you are putting your time to good use. Not, that I ever thought you did not put your time to good use.
This poem reminds me of the struggles every person has in life, and not just with their physician. I don’t see it as a battle of the sexes, but more of a battle of understanding and recognition. Awesome!
March 23rd, 2009 at 5:20 pm
[...] No Comments Another Writer’s Ink member, Judy, also has poetry up at Every Day Poets–“The Dumb Doctor”. Leave a comment and vote while you’re [...]
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Judy, a poem with such great perspective and feeling. Ooh, how we can relate to this poem. You have talent, you go girl….
March 24th, 2009 at 5:35 am
You have a wonderful talent that should be shared. Congratulations on getting your work “out there”. I’m looking forward to seeing, reading, hearing, much more…..
March 24th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Judy….Wow a very powerful poem. The brillance and tragedy is the truth of what your words say. And that it evokes memory from too many. I hope to see more in the future. A true Fan!
March 24th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Did anyone notice that in the first paragraph it is anger that “tears out” and unresolved anger to which the speaker gives pained birth, not babies?
peggy freeman – I never heard this before – that there was a time or place where and when breast feeding was “totally unacceptable.” Usually the doctor recommends not breast feeding when the mother doesn’t produce enough milk or when she is undernourished.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:25 am
Very nice, Judy! I love it. I can’t wait to read more of your writings. Keep it up.
March 25th, 2009 at 5:04 am
What powerful images. The first part grabbed me and carried me along the turbulent currents of anger unexpected, an experience I have had.
Yes, the “shushing.” Unless you’ve experienced it (and most men probably haven’t), it’s hard to relate, and my doctor was a woman who had children herself!
Awesome work! Give me more!
March 25th, 2009 at 8:39 am
congrat on the publishing of the poem and thanks for sharing.
March 25th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
My sister, what imagery and raw emotion. You writing is gifted and meant to be shared. Thank you for sharing this!
March 26th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Wonderful poem which reflects the feelings of many of us. I am so happy for you. Keep it up!
March 26th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
YOU GO GIRL!!! I’M SO PROUD OF YOU KEEP FOLLOWING YOUR DREAMS AND ALWAYS LISTEN TO YOUR MOM!!! YOU SHOULD OF BEEN SUBMITTING A LONG TIME AGO . RUTH
March 26th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
so many layers to who you are…I am enjoying the journey with you as you share, thank-you for giving us your gift!
March 29th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Very powerful. Unresolved anger will always rear up when we least expect. You have a way with words that drags the reader right in. You ARE captivating!
April 6th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
If you didn’t have children in the 1960s to 1970s, you won’t understand doctors telling you that breast feeding was archaic. Science of the day created formula that was far superior. Some of these left babies brain damaged. Luckily I didn’t listen to my doctor and put my daughter on a soybean milk. That was 1968. That was when you wanted to ask… the questions this poem ask. Great job. Sometimes listen to a higher authority.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:00 am
[...] most-read poem in April was “The Dumb Doctor” by Judy Morrill Young. We look forward to Nick’s interview with her on June [...]