THE HUMBLE SCISSORS
By Liz Hu
I rest in my allocated shelf
waiting in trepidation
Will I save a life today?
Eager hands grab at me
Take me outside of my cocooned
sleeves for the first time
Two loops
One cut
I fall into darkness,
clattering down the sharps bin
My purpose served
And now
To descend into the fiery pits
ON INSPIRATION
As a junior doctor that has just spent the last three months in the intensive care unit (ICU), where we care for the most critically unwell patients in the hospital, I have personally disposed of and witnessed the use of so many disposable medical devices. I wanted to highlight the story of the humble sterile scissors, a superhero in many environments; be it in the operating theatre, in the emergency department, or in the ICU. All unfortunately have to be disposed of, to be incinerated, after one use.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR (LIZ HU)
Dr Liz Hu is a junior doctor who is passionate about environmental sustainability and quality improvement. She was also a gen 1 Wattle Fellow! If Liz isn't at work tinkering at her sustainability projects, you'll find her underwater marveling at the diverse marine life on Bunurong sea country.