The Theft and the Gift By Rajam Ramamurthy, MD

The Theft & The Gift

By Rajam Ramamurthy, MD

It is a dreary wet day, December 24, 2020. Little difference does that make; nowhere to go anyway. The year will end soon; the year stolen from me. Why does it have to happen to me? It was not my creative moment; my head fell on the desk and the pen rolled out of my hand on to the note pad.

The Theft It was the year before Christmas when all through the world Nothing was moving not even the planes I am told. Children spent hours in front of the screen What ever happened, why does mom not scream. Some weary troubled eyes peaked over the masks, Whiles others spue the poison and go about their tasks. Humanity receded into their homes and bolted the doors What of the millions with no roof nor doors or floors? While patients crowd the over filled hospital, Argument abound that this is a hoax, in the capital. News from far and near of kith and kin dying, The mind numbs with zoom gatherings unable to silence the crying. By summer, no, Thanksgiving, for sure Christmas, I concede bereft, A year when no memories were made, just lament the grand theft.

I woke up with a stiff, sore neck; the outside was ablaze with the winter sun. I felt that someone had come into the room. I picked up the pen and it danced on the page as though it had a mind of its own.

The Gift It was days after Christmas when all through the world Weariness descended and the sprit curled. When in the news papers arose such a chatter It spread like a storm in Facebook and Twitter. There was a little man brilliant and bossy At once I knew it had to be the straight talking Fauci Now Pfizer, now Novavax, now Glaxo and Moderna, On Johnson, on Sanofi, on Astra and Zeneca. To the bench, to the lab, brilliant minds reach tall Sweat and slog to answer the clarion call. Chimneys were cooled to an unbelievable freeze Down came St. Nicolas and let out a big sneeze. With a twinkle in his eyes and nod of his head He opened the freezer and the laid the little vial on the box of gingerbread. He flew up the chimney, and jumped onto a strange looking sleigh It had UPS painted on it and it took off with a sway. Hear now! Hear now! Neighbors and friends Have you checked your freezer; it is all good what the New Year portends?

I woke up with a jolt and ran to the window, the glass of milk was empty, and the cookies were gone. I looked up and saw two red dots rapidly fading in the distant sky. I turned around and made my way to the freezer.

Rajam Ramamurthy, MD was the 2004 President of the Bexar County Medical Society and is Professor Emeritus, Department of Pediatrics/Neonatology at UTH San Antonio.