BIRDS ARE SET FREE!

 

 

I was in a  pensive  mood when this budding medicos’ request sprang up,

To witness a fair farewell to the  first batch,beaming with gleaming eyes,

Five years rolled back in my thoughts, novice teacher in me with tails up ,

Searching in vain and pain for my first hatch of students with sore eyes.

Now the hunter became the hunted, these eggs  now hatched and free.

We gave their eyes and  forgot, indeed we lost them to the usual  tide,

They came to us again to bid them for their  departure flight in spree,

We the faculties have sharpened their acuity, now, we say with pride,

Birds! your time have indeed come, to peep out of the shell and  fly high,

To find new trees, better fruits, wider skies and search for larger horizon,

Extend your services to the needy, always add  life to your feathery side ,

To the sick,to the hapless and those in pain and stress with thy skill zone

As you all leapfrog the ladder of life, fly high, building the nests of fame,

Laying eggs of  divine healing touch, hatching  wealth of lasting good will

Forget not thy almamater, the mother hen ,and indeed thy mentors’ name

As you roll back your years in future, as you happen to pass by this school,

Wait!,Spare a split second for the shell  that cocooned your safety  flight

Empowering  you with wisdom, to scale new heights of  dollar and glory,

Beware this, as you go high in the sky, any trivial  fall is a disaster to sight ,

Watch your feathers ,add more,trim  them ,masking never  thy mastery

WISHING YOU ALL THE VERY BEST IN  THE SKY  YOU CHOOSE TO FLY

WHEN THY SCALP HANDLES THE SCALPEL!  

 

When you pass out as a medical graduate, with dream fulfilled and joy boundless,

Your mission accomplished and nobility,your future password reigning supreme,

The climb to fame and making a name,indeed becomes  painstaking and arduous,

The clank of the patients’ heart and yours too, should  be in synchronous  tone.

Miles to go, every step hazardous, every patient never the same in every disease,

Same ailment does  have  different faces, posing  a clinical challenge to your skill,

The same sized swellings have many differential diagnosis and intriguing in poise,  

Treat or not to treat surgically  lies  the greatest challenge ever, before your will.

The benefit of doubt should be  given ultimately towards  the patient’s wellbeing

Now that you enter  the world of  sick and infirmity,  with the scalpel’s company,

Even the physician in dire emergency, he  venesects with the services of a scalpel.

Along with the stethoscope, the ambassadors that  diligently decide your destiny,

Surgery for the needy, decisions be precise, remember Hippocrates’ golden vouch

Should cure his ailment, end his misery, not to swell thy coffers or towering frame,

Use thy scalp that conceals thy brain, judiciously always with that healing touch,

The scalpel will bring laurels for you, along with endless levels of  fame and name.

ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END! 

 

Remember a banyan tree which is tall with widespread branches

Just trace back your thoughts for a second about that tree again

It started its earthly life as a small seed gaining a healthy footing

Spreading the precious mother root first ,then a pair of tiny leaves.

Over the years it grew in stature vertically as well in diameter too,

Giving healthy air around to humans,shelter to many a bird species

They built their nests within it,grew up their family and flew away.

The teacher too is  one such tree , also growing himself with years.

Glowing with knowledge,imparts the one thing he knows best,

This knowledge accumulated over these years that stood by him

Imparting them impartially to students all around these years.

Now it is the time for a farewell in return for his services at last

Wishing you sir the very best in life and health for the rest of life

Your guidance will cherish in our memories for long ,dear SIR

Guess who mailed me an appreciation letter!

 

Pleasantly surprised to find this waiting for me in my mailbox! Sharing my moment of happiness with you all...Thank you Mr. Sachin Tendulkar!

Context: I had sent him my poem "Wizard of the Golden willow" during the time of his retirement!

(Click here to read the poem from my older posts)