By turns astute, heartening, bittersweet, hilarious, this anthology of poems about illness and healing, doctors and patients, and a wide range of related subjects, collects verse from both well-known poets – Emily Dickinson, William Carlos Williams, Maya Angelou, Philip Larkin – and emerging voices. This unique collection underscores the importance of poets as commentators on the art and science of medicine but more importantly the value of poetry to physicians as the seek inspiration and insight in the face of daily challenges. Many of the poems included here were identified by physician-readers of some of the world’s most prestigious medical journals who responded to the editors’ invitation to “tell us about a poem that has inspired you …” Certainly every physician will find much to savor in these pages.