“Sitting with Keats”
A Reflection on Keats’ Statue in the Grounds of Guy’s Hospital, London
Photograph by John Diamond, M.D.
A pigeon with one leg
hobbles over to him
– Knowing more than
the medical students.
How can they walk past
– and not Know?
And then two med students
do come
to chat, eat and smoke
– but not to Feel, ignoring.
I ask – and the reply
“He doesn’t have Facebook.”
He gazes out
from his cupola
– but they don’t look,
See or Feel.
I’m sitting here with Keats,
so Alive he feels.
Why doesn’t he turn
to face me?
I mustn’t touch you
– then you’ll be only bronze.
