Birthday Party

Green hills patched with April

snow and I’ve chosen to celebrate

with a full slate of patients.

No cake or champagne

in my sober waiting room,

just another day losing myself

in the flow, prescribing pills,

listening more than I speak,

keeping secrets secret,

thankful for their gift of suffering,

which allows me to be useful

doing work I was born to do.

Dr. Berlin is Senior Affiliate in Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. E-mail: Richard.Berlin@gmail.com. His most recent collection of poetry, PRACTICE, is published by Brick Road Poetry Press.