Assoc for Scottish LiteratureAs by barren trackway
on a mountain crest
with view of scree and corrie,
ridge and col,
a traveller might pause…
—“A cairn”, by Gael Turnbull (1928–2004) – born #OTD, 7 April
from WHILE BREATH PERSIST (The Porcupine’s Quill, 1992)
1/3
Oh my earnest friend,
to think of all the silly
opinions you defend…
—“Inscription for a mirror”, by Gael Turnbull – a perfect #poem for social media
Also from WHILE BREATH PERSIST (The Porcupine’s Quill, 1992)
2/3
“If it is our mission
to alleviate suffering
as well as to preserve life
there should be no conscientious restraint…”
—Gael Turnbull, “James Young Simpson: If It Is Our Mission…”
from The Hand that Sees: Poems for the quincentenary of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
James Young Simpson (1811–1870) pioneered the use of chloroform as an anaesthetic in childbirth
3/3
#Scottish #literature #poem #poetry #obstetrics #anaesthesia #anesthesia #WorldHealthDay #historyofmedicine
