June 16, 2014 "Beautyana"

First Words

      …thoughts of an anachronistic, solo pediatrician

                            by Glenn Feole, M.D.

"Be careful too that the reading of your story makes the melancholy 

        laugh and the merry laugh louder," Cervantes, Prologue to Don Quixote

Contact: ishmaelish36@gmail.com

Blog site: ishmaelish36.blogspot.com

June 16, 2014

Chief Complaint:

     “Cough for four years”

Interesting Name:

     Beautyana

Anecdote:

At a Starbucks in Boston

       Dylan's Mother was going away for the week on some business.  She would be out of the state and probably would be hard to reach.  Dylan had a cough but her exam was fine.  I reassured her and said, "It's just a cold but if you develop a fever or if the cough gets worse, just call me."  

     The thought of this added responsibility was transforming Dylan into a young woman right before my eyes.  She glanced at her Mother knowingly and said in a singsong voice, "We're both worried about this because Dad is so irresponsible.  Especially in that department." 

       Westport, Connecticut, 1990's

Poetry:

First Communion

Daily Mass, Thursday at 5:15

Today there was a Father in a suit and tie

the Mother dressed up like Easter

In between them their teenage son

as tall as Lincoln

the same gaunt face, 

deep set eyes, and lanky looks

he towered over them

someone to look up to

he also in suit and tie

His face was too innocent, too eager to please

his deep voice too loud

at the sign of peace I heard

“Mom, don’t kiss me!”

Then a few seconds later 

a loud, wet kiss on his Mother's cheek

that echoed through the Church

as he went to communion he was craning his neck

looking at every one in excitement

as he walked down the aisle 

with an unsteady, stooped over gait

I thought, if only people could really see

that's how I walk to communion too

He received communion, the priest looking up at him

straining to get the host into his mouth

he then smiled and said loudly to his Mother

“That's it?”

When communion was over

Father announced that this was his First Holy Communion

and we all clapped to welcome him into the Church

all fifteen of us

and this was as good as Easter Sunday

                       Glenn Feole

                       April, 1996

                       Westport, Ct

Favorite Musician/song:

     Sting

     Favorite album: Mercury Falling

Favorite Book/author:

     Keats, "On Seeing the Elgin Marbles for the First Time"

Favorite Movie/DVD:

     The Elephant Man (John Hurt)