Henry Marsh, author of Do no Harm – Photo by Chris Boland 

A neurosurgeon performing surgery

I am deep in my thoughts

Like a neurosurgeon performing a surgery on a patient

Who was diagnosed with aneurysm

A morbid dilatation of the wall of a blood vessel, usually an artery

No matter how painful the pain is

I am bound to perform the incision

As I imagine illness happening on myself

That can cause catastrophic hemorrhage in the brain

As I perform the operation

To place a minute spring loaded metal clip across the neck of the aneurysm

I try to prevent the aneurysm just a few minutes across

A danger I face as a surgeon

Is inadvertently bursting the aneurysm while dissecting it

From the surrounding brain and blood vessels

Working at several inches depth in the center of the patient’s head

In a narrow space beneath the brain

I operated and caught the aneurysm

Trapping it and obliterating it with a glittering spring-loaded titanium clip

Saving the patient’s life

Source: (Do no harm: Stories of life, death and brain surgery by Henry Marsh) 

Chincotaegue Virginia. Photo by Sohan

When I most think, do mine eyes best see

The poverty in America that affects everyone

But when I sleep in dreams, my eyes imagine thee

And the darkness is still a darkness

While the light is still light

However, dark the shadow may be

The light will illuminate the darkness

And turn it into brightness

Like a sunny day with much clearer skies

When to blind eyes, your shade darkens so

How would I say mine eyes be blessed made

How would I say thy eyes are my blessing

By looking on the heavens in the living day

Through deep sleep on blind eyes doth stay

I am here to stay all days and nights to see thee

And day brightens nights when dream come true

A women meditating in a popular yoga pose

My true love has my heart and I have Hers

Because we both love each other dearly

Despite she being the true cause of my grief

A gain in love that keeps us going

As we look to reach the next height

And touch the sky like a soaring eagle

For my sake, we want to reach the pinnacle top

Even though the climb may be steep

I want to overcome the suffering to get her love

If I lose you, I will lose my heart and myself

In a way that will hurt me forever

But when we meet again, even the sky and the heaven will come together

And for God’s sake, put me on the cross

But here’s the exuberance; my friend and I are united

Thee admiration! To whom I love her alone.

Those pretty eyes that ring freedom

When I’m surrounded in your heart

Your smile and your beauty fits well to the fall colors

For the spectacular leaves fall in the earth

Creating the sense of joy and magical art

Where children play and have fun to develop skills

While a woman woos her son

Till the son gets tired in his knees

And the mother kisses her sons in his forehead

Providing him love and radiant energy

As the son leads his team in fierce fight and comeback win

By sheer power and ruthless battle

His art of fight was second to Napoleon

For he walked by faith and not by sight

Sunset view, somewhere in Central Pennsylvania

Oh Lord how I sing to you with thy praise

When all of me is made by you

Praise be to you Oh Lord as you bring praise to me

When I praise thee, I get happy

And a reason to live and shine for thy praise

As I love you dearly and chant your name

That I may not be separated from you

Because I deserve to be with thee

In your absence, my life would be tormented

Were it not for thy sweet love

To entertain my thoughts and gratitude

I would be walking along the ocean

Trying to find a love to unite two hearts into one

By praising thy although you remain far away from me.