Three End of Life Poems by Frank Meyskens

Here are three poems by Frank L. Meyskens, Jr.:

  Tidal Wave addresses the feelings engendered in me when a ‘favorite patient’ asked me quite directly to end his life. Pulling the Trigger was my answer. Life Panel was a general answer to Sarah Palin’s ignorant comments about DeathPanels.”  

Meyskens' books of poetry are:
Aching for Tomorrow (2007) and Believing in Today (2014).

Dr. Meyskens is Professor of Medicine, Biological Chemistry and Public Health, College of Health Sciences School of Medicine and Director, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine.  He writes: “I have written a lot about end of life issues including termination of life by physicians. 

At this link, you can access a PDF of all three poems. 

LIFE PANEL

The sickness has revisited
a body wracked, invaded
unremitting, day and night.

Life ebbs, the verdict in.
All systems and technology failing
maxed out with morphine and wonder drugs
vital juices no longer flowing.

Desperate and despondent for hope.
Who should be the jury
no controversy or doubt
that the end is near.

The last great act of living here.
Life closing, shadows abound
Decisions made by a life panel
the one most loved who will
loosen the rope and send me home.