[Hushed strings – a young doctor alone after theatre] [JUNIOR DOCTOR] Phayko... I've just learned a word Called Phayko... And suddenly that name Will never quite Sound the same To me. Phayko... I've only just begun With Phayko... The foot pedal goes down, The nucleus spins round— And somehow... I can see. [Orchestra begins to rise] The first time that I held The handpiece in my hand, My Consultant beside me Saying— [CONSULTANT – spoken] Steady... [JUNIOR DOCTOR] I tried to look composed, As though everything was planned— [CONSULTANT] Steady... [JUNIOR DOCTOR] I AM steady! [Beat] Mostly. [Music resumes] Phayko... Capsulorhexis complete, Now Phayko... Hydrodissection done, And here comes the fun— Gently... Gently... Phayko... [Orchestra swells] A cataract that yesterday Made everything a haze, Is breaking into fragments As I cautiously emulsify away! Aspiration... Irrigation... Keep the chamber nice and deep... [CONSULTANT] Watch the posterior capsule. [JUNIOR DOCTOR] I know. [CONSULTANT] I'm just saying. [JUNIOR DOCTOR] Now I'll never sleep. [Brief orchestral flourish] But then— The cortex disappears, The capsule's clean and clear, The folded lens goes gently Through the wound... It opens... It settles... It centres... [Softly] And suddenly The whole procedure Feels like magic in the room. [Music becomes warmer] Next morning there's my patient With the shield removed at last. [PATIENT] Oh! [JUNIOR DOCTOR] Is everything all right? [PATIENT] Doctor... I can see you! [Pause] [JUNIOR DOCTOR] And somehow all the nerves, The trembling hands, The fear of going wrong, The endless hours of practising— Become a different song. [Orchestra rises] Phayko! Now I know the joy Of Phayko! Not merely what it does, But everything it was For someone Who could barely see. A face becomes a face again, The colours reappear, The television's sharper And the morning sky is clear. A number plate! A newspaper! The faces that they know! And I helped make it happen With my beautiful— [CONSULTANT] Don't get carried away. [JUNIOR DOCTOR] Phayko! [Full orchestra] Phayko! I'll practise every movement, I'll learn it millimetre by millimetre, I'll keep the chamber stable, Keep the zonules safe, And never, ever hurry! [CONSULTANT] Good. [JUNIOR DOCTOR] And one day you'll be watching me— [CONSULTANT] I am watching you. [JUNIOR DOCTOR] I mean without saying “steady”. [Pause] [CONSULTANT] Steady. [Orchestra surges] [JUNIOR DOCTOR] PHAYKO! A word that now will always mean The moment sight returned! PHAYKO! The privilege of giving back A little world that blurred! And every time a patient says, “I'd forgotten skies were blue,” I'll remember why I learned this, And how much there is to do! [Final soaring phrase] Phayko... Say it loud, And there's music playing... Say it soft, And it's almost like praying... Phayko... I'll never stop saying— Phayko! [Long sustained note – full orchestral resolution]
