Tools of the Trade: Poems for New Doctors

by Samuel Tongue (Editor), Lesley Morrison (Editor), John Gillies (Editor)

Being a doctor is a privilege; it is also very demanding and can be stressful, and to be able to look after others, we need to look after ourselves. We offer you this little book of poetry, Tools of the Trade, as a friend to provide inspiration, comfort and support as you begin work.

Tools of the Trade includes poems by poet-doctors Iain Bamforth, Rafael Campo, Glenn Colquhoun, Martin MacIntryre and Gael Turnbull.

Genres: Poetry

112 pages, Paperback

Published July 24, 2025

About the author

Samuel Tongue is Project Co-ordinator at the Scottish Poetry Library. His first pamphlet is Hauling-Out (Eyewear, 2016) and his second, stitch, is forthcoming with Tapsalteerie. He has published poems in numerous anthologies and magazines. He is currently co-editor of New Writing Scotland and poetry editor at the Glasgow Review of Books.

Reviews

[Richard Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve now read the second edition of “Tools for the Trade: Poems for young Doctors,” and it is, I think, even better than the first, which was a great achievement. The book is what I always hope for from an anthology: to be able to luxuriate in familiar poems, rediscover forgotten but once loved poems, and encounter new poems that thrill, comfort, and instruct. There is, as the title says, a bias towards poems that will speak to young doctors but anybody could enjoy the anthology.

Here's a link to my blog on the first edition:

https://richardswsmith.wordpress.com/...

[Rasa Valiauga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a poetry reader but this is a beautiful pocketbook for any doctor or trainee.