They work with herbs br and penicillin br They work with gentleness br and the scalpel. br They dig out the cancer, br close an incision br and say a prayer br to the poverty of the skin. br They are not Gods br though they would like to be; br they are only a human br trying to fix up a human. br Many humans die. br They die like the tender, br palpitating berries br in November. br But all along the doctors remember: br First do no harm. br They would kiss if it would heal. br It would not heal. br br If the doctors cure br then the sun sees it. br If the doctors kill br then the earth hides it. br The doctors should fear arrogance br more than cardiac arrest. br If they are too proud, br and some are, br then they leave home on horseback br but God returns them on foot.