Asking

Blood Line Poem 6

I asked for a room with a view.

The first nurse smiled politely

And said, “Why you?

There’s lots of patients on this ward,

That may have a greater need.”

I nodded quietly and agreed.

---

I asked for a room with a view.

The second nurse stared blandly

And said, “Not you too.

Every patient wants one,

Thinks it’s their right.”

I sighed silently and didn’t put up a fight.

---

I asked for a room with a view.

The third nurse tut-tutted noisily

And said, “Typical of you,

To have a bee in your bonnet,

About this sort of thing.”

I winced painfully - that comment did sting.

---

I asked for a room with a view.

The fourth nurse laughed a little

And said, “It’s true,

The other nurses told me,

You’re going on about this.”

I withdrew quickly and felt remiss.

---

I asked for a room with a view.

The young doctor looked at me gently

And said, “I’ll see what I can do.

Let’s have wee chat,

Is everything okay?

I smiled gratefully and got moved that day.

Having suffered from a prolonged bout of depression, I know how important views are to my wellbeing. However, getting the staff to understand that this was not a request of “entitlement” but something that I needed was incredibly hard. Out of 23 rooms on the ward 19 had a view like the above. 4 had no views other than windows and walls, had poor natural light and limited options to focus at long distance or capture movement. I seemed to end up in these rooms a lot, so that’s when I complained. Much of my poetry is wrapped up in the views I experienced.

Flynne’s Barn is a place where young people living with cancer can come together and find connection in beautiful surroundings and provides a range of immersive outdoor and creative experiences. I am sharing one poem per day during September 2022 to raise money for this charity. To DONATE, visit my GO FUND ME page. Many thanks.

Distance Aware Scheme is a visual logo that reminds everyone that some people still need to be given space. Many people who have a blood cancer are immune-suppressed and need to be more careful around mixing in public. If you see anyone wear a badge or lanyard with the logo below on it, then take extra care in their presence.