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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"S.W." by Rafael Campo is a powerful and succinct poem that captures a moment of vulnerability, pain, and perhaps underlying violence, all within the clinical setting of a medical treatment. Through the lens of a physician treating a patient with a significant facial laceration, Campo delves into themes of domestic life, possible abuse, and the emotional resilience of those who suffer. The poem opens with a clinical description of the injury, a seven-centimeter laceration extending from the patient's left ear down her jaw. The detail of the injury's size immediately brings a sense of seriousness to the situation, grounding the reader in the physical reality of the patient's pain. The patient's explanation for her injury—that she slipped while mopping the kitchen floor late at night—raises questions. The timing of the accident and the vague circumstances invite speculation about the true cause of her injury, subtly suggesting the possibility of domestic violence without explicitly stating it. The presence of the patient's husband and daughter adds layers of complexity to the scene. The husband's impatience and the repeated knocking on the door signal a lack of empathy or concern for the patient's well-being, further hinting at an unsettling dynamic within the family. The little girl's screaming suggests distress, perhaps indicative of the tension and fear that permeate their home life. Campo's attention to the patient's reaction during treatment—her stoicism during the administration of lidocaine and her eventual tears towards the end of the stitching process—reveals the emotional toll of the injury. The patient's delayed reaction to the pain, crying only after the sixteenth stitch, reflects a deeper, possibly habitual resilience to suffering, hinting at a life marked by enduring pain, whether physical or emotional. The narrator's self-assessment of the stitching as "admirable" juxtaposed with a yawn reveals the routine nature of such treatments for medical professionals, yet there is an underlying sense of empathy and concern for the patient's situation. The poem concludes with the patient being given care instructions for her wound and leaving, a moment that feels both procedural and laden with unspoken concern for her future well-being. "S.W." is a poignant exploration of the intersection between medical care and the hidden stories of patients' lives. Campo uses the clinical encounter as a window into the complexities of human suffering, suggesting the presence of violence without direct accusation. The poem invites readers to reflect on the stories behind injuries, the resilience of those who endure pain, and the role of healthcare providers in offering care and witnessing the often-hidden struggles of their patients. Through this brief yet impactful narrative, Campo highlights the dignity of the patient and the silent, possibly unseen battles she faces. POEM TEXT: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3208450/
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE INTERNE by MAXWELL BODENHEIM THE DOCTOR WHO SITS AT THE BEDSIDE OF A RAT by JOSEPHINE MILES EL CURANDERO (THE HEALER) by RAFAEL CAMPO HER FINAL SHOW by RAFAEL CAMPO SONG FOR MY LOVER: 13. TOWARDS CURING AIDS by RAFAEL CAMPO WHAT THE BODY TOLD by RAFAEL CAMPO MEDICINE 2; FOR JOHN MURRAY by CAROLYN KIZER THE NERVE DOCTORS by THOMAS LUX DOMESDAY BOOK: DR. BURKE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS NICHARCHUS UPON PHIDON HIS DOCTOR by EZRA POUND |
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