Zen and the Art of Scribing

Breathe in.
Breathe out.
The other scribe called off.

Seven-fifteen, the lights hum low
Two doctors today, and me alone
He mumbles softly into his mask
"R-T-C, D-F-E," he asks
"Two-plus N-S, O-U," he sighs
Then he's gone before I look up from my eyes
I type like water, I type like rain
He says it once and never again

Breathe in... "Jeweler's forceps"
Breathe out... "Get me an OCT"
"Orange juice, she's diabetic!"
"Room four?" "Room nine." "Wait, where's he?"
I am the river, I am the stone
I carry two doctors and I walk alone
A smile on my face while the storm spins round
Zen and the art of scribing, I never come down

"How do I log in?" Your dog's name and a two
"How do these lights work?" The switch right beside you
"Which room do I go in next?" The one with the flag
"Where's the Pentacam?" Down the hall, on the left
"Find me a topography?" It's already in your hand
Then he drifts to his office, I can't find him anywhere
And the patients in the hallway are restless in their chairs

Breathe in... "Jeweler's forceps"
Breathe out... "Get me an OCT"
"Orange juice, she's diabetic!"
"Room four?" "Room nine." "Wait, where's he?"
I am the river, I am the stone
I carry two doctors and I walk alone
A smile on my face while the storm spins round
Zen and the art of scribing, I never come down

The administrator calls my name so sweet
"Someone tracked in mud, could you give the hall a sweep?"
Of course I'll mop it, between eye three and four
While the other doctor's knocking on the door

"Take her to the laser," so I take her arm
She's eighty-two, one mile an hour, all grace and charm
Ten minutes later he's tapping his shoe
"Why isn't she in the laser room?"
Doctor... you passed us. We waved at you.

Breathe in... "Don't forget to sign your notes"
Breathe out... "Your keys are in your coat"
He thinks the day just runs itself
Like charts that file themselves on the shelf
He doesn't know how good he's got it, and that's okay
I'll light the path for him again today
A smile on my face while the storm spins round
Zen and the art of scribing, I never come down

Namaste, Doctor.
Room six. Left eye.
You're welcome.