Dr. Bassam the healer:

From where did he come, this magical man,

To open up hearts and to lengthen life’s span,

From Persia of old led by heavenly sign

To the birth in Judea of a baby divine?

With science of those magi after centuries vast

Remembers he now that East where they passed?

Did he come from some orb in a galaxy far,

This new Avicenna and Hippocrates’ par.

Is he Ambrose Paré, that great surgeon wise,

Who opened a heart and made science arise;

Mocked since he knew neither Latin nor Greek,

He made healing a science for the sick and the weak.

He ligatured arteries and served king’s behest,

Said, “I tend those who suffer and God does the rest.”

So Dr. Bassám, speaking simple and clear,

Confident, calm, and allaying all fear,

Did open my breast and bring ease to my heart,

Open then close with his surgical art.

Tireless, serene, with both science and skill,

For mankind advancing to art greater still.

Æsculapius, Hippocrates, Eshmoun, and Paré,

Bassám is their heir and follows their way.

He gave me new life, a new vigor I feel,

I seek new adventure and work with new zeal.

With magical hands Bassám did remake,

Guided by God till from sleep I could wake.

Like Jesus Our Lord with compassionate hand

He raises the sick and again they can stand.

On me our Bassám bestowed a new dawn,

With his love and his care, I felt now reborn.

By Art and by Beauty the world can be saved,

By holiness, science, and research that is made.

His mission is holy, his passion humane,

To restore ailing hearts and ease all their pain.

In life’s great adventure our hope leads us on,

While glory ahead like a beacon has shone.

Healer Bassám at St. George’s can share

The pain and the joy of those saved from despair.

Joseph Matar
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Translated from French: K.J.Mortimer