If my forceps could speak

This poem was born in a gorgeous writing circle last night. Hosted by the wonderful

Anna Wharton

, we explored writing from the perspective of an inanimate object. As a writing tool, it brought out fascinating insights for each of us. The forceps I wrote about here are a specific pair called Debakey forceps, a type of atraumatic vascular forceps - you can read more about them here. The instruments available in different hospitals can be quite variable, but given the choice, I would use these in almost all of the procedures I routinely performed. It was an interesting experiment to write from their perspective, and perhaps a concept I might explore further!

The text version of the poem is here:

I am not flashy, like knife 
over there, 
getting all the attention.
He is ‘grand opening scene’
blade set
a command
he is handed 
his arc sets the start.
But you know his sharp edge
is dulled quickly, 
more quickly the thicker the skin
to the blade.
And with dull blade discarded
the scalpel: just handle now
not so grandstanding
I wait now, 
for my time to shine.
Most of us tools in this tin wrapped in blue 
are of lineage traceable north.
The city of steel (not all forged to heal),
I’m pure, forged from ores
by skilled hand for another
no mother nor father
but sisters and brothers galore.
I’m named for a cardiovascular man
who pioneered a procedure that saved his own life
for a while.
Not many would operate
on a man in his ninety-ninth year.
Today my serrations held tissues so friable,
grasp barely stable, I coaxed death from viable
fine tips just fitting in spaces to take it out safely – 
my fear of replacement is chased away
my place is here in this hand.
In this hand I stand.
Sturdy.
Responsive.
Reliable.
For forceps, quite costly
but quality costs,
no denying that fact.
But the fact is
I’m worth it,
I rest in my virtue.
There’s space for us all
and we all have our place
on this theatre shelf
we stand by
until the next case.

What object would you write about? I wonder what it might say…? Do feel welcome to share if you would like to! I’d love to hear what you thought of this poem, too.

Thanks so much for reading/listening.

Louise x