Being thorough, I remove a holey sock
to view a diabetic man’s filthy feet.
I use the time to complete our talk
of what drove him to live on the street
as I wonder how any of this can help.
While he tells me more of his medical past,
I run warm water into a stainless bowl.
I immerse both his feet and begin to ask
myself what good it does for this poor soul
to allow himself to undergo this ablution.
Silently I sluice the water between his toes
and soap the crusty callous at his heel.
I marvel at his arch and notice how closely
it fits my palm. I know he can feel
this proximity too. He shuts his eyes.
Months of useless layers peel away,
revealing layers useless weeks ago.
Removing the tough brown hide of yesterday
yields clean pink skin, but we both know
this ritual will be useless days from now.
Still, this moment may withstand time’s test,
teaching us each lessons unknown before.
I learn the medicine of selflessness.
He learns what medicine is really for–
the hope that basin, soap and touch can bear.
About the poet:
Robert Fawcett is a family doctor with a masters in education and additional training in sports medicine. He was in private practice for nineteen years prior to joining the faculty of the York Hospital family medicine residency program. “I have always had an interest in poetry, but began writing more seriously about fifteen years ago, when I accidentally took part in a poetry workshop; my daughter was attending, and I’d arrived too early to pick her up. I was a regular at the monthly workshop thereafter and use poetry to reflect on my practice and on my life.”
About the poem:
“This was an experience I had years ago that brought me an increased awareness of how important care is to medical care. Meeting patients on that personal, humanistic level pays huge dividends in terms of both our understanding of the patient’s disease state and the patient’s understanding of (and adherence to) our recommendations.”
Poetry editors:
Judy Schaefer and Johanna Shapiro
Wow, great poem! Is this in the reader? While I was reading this poem, I noticed that it resembled clinic and our philosophy so closely that I thought it was the inspiration for our footwashing service.
Thanks for sharing!
This poem really captures what footwashing is about. Whenever I would mention this service to friends that ask about Suitcase Clinic, they would be absolutely appalled that we would be willing to do such a thing. I have to admit that I was also disgusted at first when I heard about it, and was determined to avoid it at all costs. However, after spending some time at Youth Clinic and getting to know some of the clients there, I thought “What the heck. I’ll do it.” I am so glad that I did.
Not only is this service good for hygiene and a great a stress-reliever for those that have been on their feet for days on end, it goes much deeper than that. Washing someone’s feet creates an inviting atmosphere for conversation. For clients that have been ignored or pitied while on the streets, having someone willing to wash their feet for them and who cares enough to ask about their day does so much for their psychological well-being. For Suitcase volunteers, this is such a humbling experience. Not only do you get the opportunity to form a bond with the client on a level that cannot as easily be attained through regular conversations, you are also reminded of the person behind the “homeless” and “panhandler” labels attached to them. Footwashing is definitely a tradition that we should continue at Suitcase.