I want to create boundaries, say less yes’s and more no’s
I cannot squeeze in another patient on a schedule that overflows
But then the inevitable question poses itself to me
What if the patient truly needs my help and my refusal to see
Would mean serious harm- my patients are seriously ill
There could be grave consequences, this thought fills
My heart with terror, and I end up adding the patient for that day
Regret would be far worse than an unanticipated delay
*
Despite being in a time crunch, the patient I see
He is sick and in need of medical assistance desperately
I thank the powers above for helping me take a good decision
I am practicing medicine in the way I had envisioned
Yes, I am late for dinner once again
But at least I have alleviated a patient’s pain
*
I keep saying yes though I mean to say no
But whether that is sustainable I do not know
Saying yes to work means taking time away
From family obligations, and feeling stretched thin every day
If possible, I would like to find a middle ground
So that time for both my patients and my family can be found
