operation

the skin parts
before my blade.
glistening yellow mixed
with red
as the abdomen is entered.

the mass emerges.
vessels pulsating
dancing the rhythm of life.

we stand beside the window light.
sweat dripping as the heat
encompasses all.
trying to see.
trying to remove
the awesome growth that has consumed
the mountain girl.

our instruments crude.
our intent true...
slowly, quietly we work.
the sounds of village life outside
permeated by the shrieking of
the guinea hens.
faces walk by the open window.
the sun streams in,
giving much needed light
but heat is all consuming...

control.
it is completed.
now the belly lies flat,
again to give hope
for future continuation of her line.

we stand.
my heart pounding.
it is done.
the water
drips into my mask
as my relief
flows through me.

Sylvia D. Campbell, MD
May 1997