A towering lonely but dedicated figure in the annals of medicine...

The Solitary Oak on Mount Kremlin-Bicêtre

....................for Jean Lapresle
..............In Memorium: 1921-2000

“The father of neuro-pathology in France and the Vice-President of the Executive Committee of the International Society of Neuro-Pathologists”
..Professor of Neurology and Neuro-Pathology at the University of Paris of the South at Kremlin-Bicêtre Hospital, Paris
- In deep appreciation for a long and enduring friendship -

On Bicêtre Mount a stately oak did spread its unmeshed
.....boughs to swarms of sparrows beating retreat
To turtle-doves and flapping pigeon-mates a frolicsome
.....haven
Where now on thunder-split crutches hop the mocking
.....magpie
Its black upturned tail uppity down high-domed arches’
.....smooth-shorn limbs
Desolate within chilled-threaded casements of fading
.....green
Sleek crows guard the sentinel post where gentle souls
.....tread lonesome


Once his benign fiery eye caught the tame light in lame
.....downcast distress
Novice and apprentis sorciers sought the shelter of his
.....eagle umbrella wing
The charge-nurse at his beck and call
Under the official seal of his high personal Chair

Now the lordly craftsman called to lay down his tools in
.....honorary quack contempt
by some aging loyal birds......
..............................................................too meek to fly away
......to the welcoming soothing Kerala waters
lovingly lashing under swaying “sussurait”-ing palms
Too lame to avoid the headlong charge down teetering fate
Had him appear in white blouson for the nonce’s sake

No nurse to jump at the phone’s end
No student his ears peeled to every remark or question

No professorial stamp at his command

“You know he takes no new patients…”
The voice trailing............................ hoarse and dead


Carting rough brown bulky dossiers in his failing arms
.....Furtive
..Distraught
.....A Visitor in his home
Nay......A thief in his fiefdom
He stalks a room.....any room for a moment’s reprieve
The hand now less firm.....even shaky
The date a tussle with memory
Then the long unnoticed wait at the central reception desk
To ask for his patient the next bi-annual or trimestrial appointment

patient
..............like a Patient
A whole life ministering to the personal needs
.....................................................................of strangers
The life-long bachelor

“When you no longer have the charge of the place….....”
His eyes make as if to plead in lieu of apology

Then abruptly the trimestrial rendez-vous stays open.....unconfirmed
No excuse.......no reason is proffered
Only by chance you surmise

............The frail fallen oak lies limp in some forsaken lot



(I used to accompany a patient of his for sixteen long years to his high consultation offices, giving vent to long and fruitful discussions.)

(c) T. Wignesan - Paris, August 1, 2004 (revised version)
(from the collection: Words for a Lost Sub-Continent) and first published in Asianists’ ASIA, Vol. III (Paris), Founding Editor: T. Wignesan and later pub. in Blind Man’s Lantern: Poems that lash out, mock and rip into the dark. Allahabad: Cyberwit.net, 2015, 864p.)