A Letter to Lincoln's Surgeon

Howard, you hold my life in your hands.

Howard, before you cut, please take a deep breath and say a prayer.

May your god guide your every cut, your every intention.

Howard, know that if I could put my head under your scalpel, I would.

If I could hold that brain, caress it and make it well, I would.

Howard, you have my life, my air, my blood, my cells

under your knife.

Please cut well,

give nothing less than your best,

as I have given you mine.