Day 1,028

for Dr. Feroze Sidhwa

A young woman
carried into the hospital
on a stretcher, several
months pregnant.
Her pelvis shattered.
Her fetus cut in half,
still in the womb.
What can you do for her?
How will you keep her alive?
No anesthetics. No
antibiotics. No
pain medication. Nothing
except your hand
holding hers
as you explain to her
what you’ll need
to cut, extract, remove
in order that she live.
If she does, it must be
at that price. Do you
understand that? you
ask her. Can you
accept it?