Career plans

Back in the day when

My two children 

Of the same age 

Were still growing up

I overheard them 

Making career plans

One declared he wanted

To be a surgeon, rather

Do surgery behind closed doors

The very thought horrified the other

So the would-be surgeon suggested

That his brother become a paediatrician

Writing out prescriptions for medicines

This immediately cheered up the child doctor

However, his fears for his sibling doing

Risky operations did not go away

What if the patient dies, he wanted to know.

Haven't you seen what is done at such times

Remove your glasses, wipe them sadly

Look up at the ceiling and tell the relatives

"We did everything we could but god is great."