As an over-aged trainee in most fields of medicine
To survive, one has to develop a thick skin
No matter what you do, as a general rule
You are susceptible to being ridiculed
When you lack in knowledge or cannot
Meet the impossible standards that are thought
To be essential to making you competent
Despite working hard, to the maximum extent
Praise is not something you often get
Instead you are told to never forget
That your teachers worked hours endless
During their training, you work much less..
*
This trial by fire is essential to survive
In the real world of practice, where your passion and drive
Should propel you through fatigue and lack of sleep
In treating patients you have to delve into your knowledge deep
Gradually the rigorous curriculum that seemed tough
Starts making sense, all the hours spent training were not nearly enough
You thank your teachers for being hard on you
And making you capable of doing what you can do…
Passion...unbridled 