Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carolyn Kizer’s "Medicine 2; For John Murray" is a raw and compelling exploration of the complexities and ethical dilemmas faced in modern medicine, particularly in end-of-life care. Through a vivid recounting of a resuscitation attempt on a beloved family member, Kizer delves into the conflicting duties of medical professionals and the emotional turmoil experienced by those who witness the efforts to prolong life against the patient's apparent wishes.

The poem opens with a frantic scene: "When the nurses, interns, doctors came running full tilt down the hall, / Dragging the crash-cart with shrieking wheels and flagless i.v. pole." This vivid imagery sets the stage for the urgency and chaos often associated with medical emergencies. The description of the crash-cart and the defibrillator highlights the aggressive nature of resuscitation efforts, which can seem jarring and invasive.

Kizer continues to describe the scene from the perspective of the next-of-kin, who are "pasted against the walls" and follow the medical team to the room: "To your room, Mother-in-Law, where they hammered hard on your chest, / Forcing you back to life in which you had no further interest." This line poignantly captures the disconnect between the medical imperative to revive and the patient's apparent readiness to let go. The use of "hammered hard" conveys the physical brutality of the process, while "forcing you back to life" underscores the patient's lack of consent or desire to return.

The emotional weight of the scene is intensified by the description of the medical staff’s reaction: "For the third time they pressed like lovers on your frail bones / To restart the beat. They cheered! Marked you alive on your chart, / Then left you, cold, incontinent, forlorn." The juxtaposition of the staff's celebration with the patient's subsequent state of coldness and incontinence highlights the often dehumanizing aspect of medical interventions that focus solely on biological success without considering the patient's quality of life.

A significant moment in the poem is when the speaker’s husband questions the doctor about why his mother couldn’t be allowed to pass peacefully: "When the man loved by you and me appealed to your doctor / To know why you couldn't have your way and be let go, / He said, 'I couldn't just stand there and watch her die.'" This response encapsulates the internal conflict faced by many medical professionals who are trained to save lives at all costs, even when it might not align with the patient's or family's wishes.

The poem then shifts to a conversation with a more seasoned physician: "Later, when it was over, we spoke to a physician / Grown grey and wise with experience, our warm friend, / But ice when he considers the rigors of his profession." This physician, despite his warmth, maintains a professional detachment when discussing the harsh realities of medical practice.

The poem's conclusion delivers a powerful and sobering verdict: "But that was his job, to just stand there and watch her die." This final line reinforces the idea that sometimes, the most compassionate act a doctor can perform is to recognize when to step back and allow a natural death, respecting the patient's wishes and dignity.

"Medicine 2; For John Murray" is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged poem that captures the ethical complexities of medical intervention. Carolyn Kizer uses stark and vivid imagery to illustrate the tension between the clinical duty to save lives and the humane need to honor a patient's desire for peace. Through this narrative, Kizer invites readers to reflect on the profound implications of end-of-life care and the true meaning of compassion in medicine.