Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton's poem "Doctors" is a contemplative and sobering reflection on the role of doctors, their limitations, and the profound responsibility they bear in the care of human life. Through her exploration of the delicate balance between healing and harm, Sexton captures the vulnerability inherent in the medical profession and the fine line doctors walk between success and failure.

The poem begins with a straightforward description of the tools and methods doctors use: "They work with herbs / and penicillin / They work with gentleness / and the scalpel." This juxtaposition of natural remedies with modern medicine, and gentleness with the sharpness of a scalpel, underscores the dual nature of medical practice—both nurturing and invasive. The reference to "digging out the cancer" and "closing an incision" illustrates the physical reality of a doctor's work, which often involves confronting the body's most vulnerable and damaged parts. The prayer "to the poverty of the skin" highlights the humility required in this work, acknowledging the limitations of the human body and the fragility of life.

Sexton then touches on the human desire for omnipotence in the line "They are not Gods / though they would like to be." This acknowledgment reflects the immense pressure doctors face to be infallible, to possess the power to heal and save lives. However, the poem quickly reminds us that doctors "are only a human / trying to fix up a human." This simple yet profound statement emphasizes the shared humanity between doctor and patient, highlighting the fact that both are subject to the same vulnerabilities and limitations.

The poem’s tone shifts as it addresses the inevitability of death: "Many humans die. / They die like the tender, / palpitating berries / in November." The comparison of dying humans to "tender, palpitating berries" suggests both the delicacy of life and the naturalness of death. The image of berries dying in November evokes the end of a cycle, the transition from life to death as part of the natural order. Despite their best efforts, doctors cannot always prevent this outcome, and the poem captures the quiet tragedy of this reality.

Sexton then reflects on the ethical foundation of the medical profession: "First do no harm." This principle, derived from the Hippocratic Oath, serves as a reminder of the gravity of a doctor's responsibility. The idea that doctors "would kiss if it would heal" expresses a deep yearning to cure, to bring comfort and relief to their patients, even though such gestures are ultimately powerless against certain illnesses. The poem recognizes the limitations of medicine, where even the most well-intentioned actions may not be enough to save a life.

The final stanzas of the poem introduce the concepts of success and failure in the medical field: "If the doctors cure / then the sun sees it. / If the doctors kill / then the earth hides it." This dichotomy reflects the visibility of success versus the quiet, often private nature of failure. When a doctor succeeds, their achievements are celebrated and acknowledged; when they fail, the consequences are borne in the silent grief of the earth, representing the finality of death. The poem suggests that doctors should be wary of "arrogance"—a dangerous trait that can lead to their downfall. The line "If they are too proud, / and some are, / then they leave home on horseback / but God returns them on foot" serves as a warning against hubris. The image of leaving "on horseback" but returning "on foot" symbolizes the humbling process that comes when a doctor’s pride leads to a mistake or failure, bringing them back down to earth, to the reality of their own humanity.

"Doctors" is a meditation on the complexities and contradictions of the medical profession. Sexton explores the inherent tension between the desire to heal and the inevitability of death, the power and the limits of medicine, and the fine line between humility and arrogance. Through her vivid imagery and thoughtful language, Sexton conveys the immense burden that doctors carry and the profound respect they must have for both life and death. The poem ultimately serves as a reminder of the humanity that underlies the practice of medicine and the need for compassion and humility in the face of life’s greatest challenges.

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