Veneta Masson: Reference Range
Your tests show
the numbers 73, 90, 119 and 2.5,
the letter A,
the color yellow,
a straight line interrupted by a repeating pattern
of steeples and languid waves,
a gray asymmetrical oval
filled with fine white tracery,
35 seconds,
100 millimeters,
II.
I'm not sure what to make of these.
With the possible exception of II,
which like all Roman numerals
is subject to misinterpretation,
I see no cause for alarm.
I admit to a preference for low numbers,
the apothecary system over the metric
(my age, perhaps, and distrust of pure logic)
and the letter W,
though most of my colleagues favor
M.
I think you can be happy with yellow
and, based on my experience,
the fact that the straight line is punctuated.
Seconds, millimeters--I marvel at their finitude,
but this oval, so intricate, so light,
might well contain a universe.
Is it normal, you ask.
Normal's a shell game you seldom win.
Take my advice. Enjoy good health
not as your due but the blessing it is
like Spring, laughter,
death.
Discussion Questions
What stands out in this poem? Does it resonate with your experience receiving or interpreting test results?
What is the significance of the line “I’m not sure what to make of these?”
Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, the world of medicine is filled with uncertainty. What role do the humanities have in helping us confront medical uncertainty?
Reflections from #MedHumChat
“This is a familiar experience - but I don't see my side of the experience mirrored in the poem. I wonder whether this experience might be different for someone without symptoms or with acute symptoms, than for someone with chronic symptoms.” —@OdyO11
“When we choose not to acknowledge uncertainty, it's often b/c a fear of vulnerability. The humanities help us to see our vulnerability as an inescapable part of the human experience & to discover how opening to it makes us more compassionate.” —@allison_tandem
“it’s easy to confuse amassing data or feeling in control with the real goal of feeling better” —@MichaeliLaura
About this #MedHumChat
“Reference Range” was paired with Secretly Hoping for Plan C by Bruno Perillo for a #MedHumChat discussion on March 3, 2021 on Medical Uncertainty.
The pieces for this chat, as well as the discussion questions, were curated by Jennifer Caputo-Seidler (@jennifermcaputo).
About the Author
Veneta Masson is a registered nurse and poet author . Learn more about her work here.