An excerpt from What the Physician Whispered.

You are looking at me, little one,
perhaps wondering who I might be.
Even though I might seem friendly,
you seem wary and frightened, not yet
used to seeing strangers and busy places.
Someone thought maybe I might help save you.

I offer to give you poison.

They have not told you, because they do not know
how sick you really are, meaning how close you are
to an unexpected conclusion that no one wishes for you,
not even me, whose feelings you cannot know.
Someone must trust that I have fortune-telling skill;
maybe they heard I have seen others this sick.

What I have is poison.

Why you are here, why they brought you now,
why you got sick, how it is that my offering is poison,
why sweets or being good or smiles won’t work as well,
are all good questions, which I cannot answer.
Who you are, who you will be, and what will happen
are all good questions, which I cannot answer.

I do know poison, and can give you details.

I am not saying you must be poisoned here.
Here is where you are. You can go elsewhere.
But someone asked me, and I honestly know of no
better or faster way than poison for the effect
we presume you want, without your saying it.
Poison might do for you; it is not for everyone.

The poison stands ready.

People speak of belief in this circumstance.
Belief is not required for poison to have effect.
You may not believe me either, or the story I can tell
about how poison might cure, the irony and oxymoron.
It is just a story, serving an irrational need, but
you will ultimately decide its reality or fiction.

We have poison; you or someone tell us when to start.

Poison is not given lightly; one does not take it easily.
As Chief Poisoner, I will be nearby often enough,
but I must tell you, I delegate many tasks,
especially the manipulation of euphemisms.
Words I use might seem harsh, like bitter concoctions,
but are used, of course, for effect.

We have poison, but no promises.

Your circumstance is not unique,
but you, little one, are unique. I am not flattering you;
we respect your specialness, your individuality, and
therefore cannot predict all the effects of poison on you.

We can use chocolate syrup sometimes,
not always, if you really think that might help.

Ron Louie is a pediatric oncologist.