

Discover more from Blood Lines
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.
Asking
That's a keeper. x
I'm so glad you eventually got listened to Juliet. No window would be awful for a prolonged time for anyone, let alone for someone with depression, AML and all that the treatment brings. Just being able to see the sky is not much to ask xx