Bush Doctors

County hospital GYN clinic

back in the days of Power

to the People, five hours

for 50 women stirruped

by our clinic nurse, gloves

snapped on, K-Y smeared,

fingers inside, history pried,

uterus defined. Diagnosis

nailed, we scribbled scripts,

a progress note, delivered

the verdict while scrubbing

our hands, feeling as heroic

as bush doctors in Zimbabwe

caring for the masses in five

minute visits, useful training

for future psychiatrists

paid for quick encounters

with beads and colored cloth,

lines of patients snaked

outside our tents, coins

offered from satisfied hands,

others hungry for more

of our hearts, our flesh,

knives concealed under robes,

blades honed,

points polished silver.