The Doctor's Letter

Gerald, a senior citizen who still regularly turns out every Saturday to play along with the rest of us 'younger' guys and loves every minute !!

Though never better, I received a doctor's letter
requesting a visit routine,
puzzled all the same, regarding it's aim
to the surgery, I did convene

Reporting at reception, I was accused of deception
"you're not listed here," a lady remarked,
"this cannot be, here's a letter from my GP
though no regular caller," I barked

"Well my good fella, I'll have to go to the cellar"
the secretary grumpily said,
after one hour, she returned even more sour
holding a tattered folder of red

"Now sir please listen, you're not on our system
but it's clear from this old file,
although certainly latent, you once were a patient
so Dr Barker will see you, in a short while"

Whilst sat outside his room, I grew aware of the gloom
as folk waited to be seen,
transfixed to mobile phones, like listless drones,
awaiting a pardon from the queen

In turn, each through the door, then back out as before
still calling and texting,
clutching paper prescriptions, for various afflictions
a due process, I found rather vexing

Soon my turn, to meet a doctor looking stern
weary of the daily regime,
but he broke into a smile, noting the name on the file
"come in, sit down, I want to come clean"

I personally looked you up, from your name on a cup
my grandfather kept in his study,
he was once your GP, and I further decree
a past teammate and buddy

He often spoke of your strong-will and athletic skill
combined, to defeat any foe,
yet down through the years, despite blood, sweat and tears
to his general practice, you'd never go

Now forty years on, how can you go so long
without ever a sick day,
regularly seen, out on the village green,
still playing and plugging away? "

"Now young Dr Barker, let me put down a marker
as to why, I remain free of all ills,
play the game hard but fair, with gusto and flare,
to negate the need for any pills

Always bat straight, to narrow the gate
and bowl to the sweat drips from your brow,
for the simple trick to it, is to keep playing cricket
so look me up, in another forty years from now ! "

 

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Author's Note

Sub note: Playing with a straight bat makes it very difficult for the ball to pass between it and the pads, (batsman's legs) to get him out ! That space between same is known as 'the gate'

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Tom,
"The doctor's letter' was just a kick' to read! A person having something that they can feel passionate about is all important. Health and vitality are connected in what drives us. You have shared a message that really is an iinspiration and needed in this modern day. Blessings Kathy

[Tom]

You nailed it Kathy & thanks for commenting so appropriately!

[marilyn 1225]

wow I just discovered this cute cleverly written funny poem love it a lot at three in the morning

[Tom]

Thank you Marilyn!

[Valentine]

Perhaps it is not giving in to those aches that keep you going. Giving in seems more like giving up. Valentine

[Tom]

Thank you Valentine

[Dynafox]

I thought it was very good, and shows a certain professionalism. I believe it has a great deep message but delivers in a way that almost everyone could interpret the meaning correctly.

[Tom]

Thank you very much for your complimentary words !

[EileenMarie]

I loved this! Absolutely loved it. I sang along reading it :). You are very talented. You had a great selection of words which I think makes poetry engaging. I could envision being a fly on the wall. Great write!!

[Tom]

Thank you EileenMarie for such a wonderful review of my little poetic therapueutic remedy !

[barleygirl]

Your originality is over the top on this playful vignette. Nice work with the complex rhyme scheme, altho the rhythm isn't always matching. I like this fresh way of saying that exercise keeps the doctor away, a sentiment I wholeheartedly endorse!

[Tom]

Yes indeed barley girl, you get the gist of my poem's raison d'etre and thanks for reading & commenting !

[emmajoy]

Cricket is far slower than the pace of your poem which rhythmically gallops through a wonderful series of tableaux and so very visual they are: the wotsit of a receptionist, the texting and vexing of waiting patients et al. As to the doctor's coming clean, how he came to know of you via the old cup. was almost as if he was healing himself of curiosity.

Your own self.cure is wonderful.. (for me a rugby fan, not entirely understandable) but tis certainly a cure.all and beautifully and succinctly worded. Great fun wrapped in cleverness, this. :)

[Tom]

Thank you emmajoy for your welcome visit & wonderful review of my little fun,poetic ode !

[emmajoy]

You're very welcome.

[Great Aunt Astri]

Brilliant! Held me tight all the way through. Yes, an interest in sport, and dear Mother Nature are far better than being dosed up with pills. I wish I had never seen a doctor!!!!
Your poem is so well structured and reads like a dream. Good for you!

[Tom]

And thank you kindly Great Auntie for your long overdue and welcome visit !!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

tennis is what keeps me from too many doctor visits...the more active we are , the more we stave off those ills...

this is a fun piece with a strong message....

[Tom]

You've got it Jacob and thanks for reading & reviewing !

[Philip Muls]

Clever, funny and wise, that is how I see your poem. It resonates with a lot of my thinking and writing. Keep moving, and communicate in a technology-free manner.

Take care.

[Tom]

Yes indeed, sometimes the old ways die hard and isn't that a good thing ? Thank you for stopping by & commenting !