Listening

Because I’m a quiet man

I listen before I speak,

tune into my patient’s voice,

nod my head “Yes!”

our breathing synchronized

as I puzzle out their story,

curiosity displayed by circling

my hand as if to draw

their breath toward me,

an invitation to say more

and more.

And while I listen,

patients examine me

with equal intensity—

assessing my knowledge,

measuring my authority,

grading my compassion,

weighing their chances

of being hurt or healed,

our unspoken bond sealed

only after I’ve listened

well enough for them

to believe in the chance

to listen to me.

Dr Berlin has been writing a poem about his experience of being a doctor every month for the past 28 years in Psychiatric Times in a column called “Poetry of the Times.” He is an instructor in psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts. His latest book is Tender Fences.