A Haiku Sealed My Abdomen

Carrickmacross lace is very particular type of decorative embroidery. There are equivalents in other parts of the world, but all have common features: they are intricate, complex, require great patience, are timeless in their patterns and are considered very desireable.

Now turn your attention to the marks left as a result of surgical procedures. External wound closures are characterised by lines with rows of dots marking the sutures or staples. For a few these are worn like a badge, but for others they represent an ugly scar. For the latter, especially those undergoing non-emergency elective surgery, there is now the option of selecting a custom wound pattern outcome.

From a menu of lace edgings and other detailed patterns, those about to face the prospect of waking up with a sutured wound, can now choose its final appearance. This is because a new specialism has been added to the surgeon’s skill set: Wound Adornment.

Now instead of a row of identical metal clips, the instrument can be loaded with a large variety of staple types, including letter forms that can spell out short messages. A long wound might feature a Koan, or Haiku. Others may choose to have their wound embellished with fake teeth marks that look like they were attacked by a shark or other savage beast; some will simply select the highly decorative components of Carrickmacross lace.

Regardless of choice, a wound now becomes a feature that no longer needs to be hidden from view, but joins the tattoo and the metal implant as another form of fashionable body adornment.