The 2nd Annual evening event organized by the Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine was devoted to an update on the Hippocrates initiative for poetry and medicine for which the FPM is a major patron. The initiative combines annual international and NHS related awards, academic symposia, a research forum and publications of outcomes as anthologies, journal papers and other related content on the relationship between medicine and poetry.
M Henry, CK Stead, DRJ Singer, T Torrington, W French, D Abse © The Hippocrates Press
Following a review of the Hippocrates initiative, poets described the
inspiration for their poems then gave readings from their winning
entries from the first 3 years of the Hippocrates Awards: Michael Henry,
the patellar hammer used by his orthopaedic surgeon father; Wendy
French - scenes from her doctor father's life, beginning with
disappointment at news from Sir Alexander Fleming of no penicillin
available for a sick patient; Tricia Torrington the shrinking world of a
relative's experience of the frailty of ageing; CK Stead his own
experience of stroke and recovery, expressed through the voice of the
Roman poet Catullus as told to an amanuensis. Poet and doctor Dannie
Abse went on to give a reading from a series of his poems with themes
from the soul to side-effects, closing with his recent 'Blue song'.
The evening closed with a panel discussion, the contributors discussing
their approach for moving from idea to poem; the role of linguistic
content; engaging the reader; artefacts as inspiration for medical
poetry; the impact of personal experience of illness on the poet; use of
humour within discussion of challenging medical themes; the process of
developing the finished poem; and combining the personal and universal
within poetry.
Monday 18th June 2012
Chandos House, 2 Queen Anne Street, London
Programme
The Hippocrates initiative for poetry and medicine
Professor Donald Singer, President, FPM
Readings by Winners of Hippocrates Awards
Michael Henry, Gloucester - 2011 Open winner
Wendy French, London - 2010 NHS winner and 2011 NHS 2nd Prize
Tricia Torrington, Gloucester - 2012 NHS commended award
CK Stead ONZ, CBE, Aukland, New Zealand - 2010 Open winner
Reading - Dannie Abse, CBE: inaugural Hippocrates Awards judge
Panel discussion
For information on future events related to the Hippocrates initiative:
hippocrates.poetry@gmail.com