Morning on the Ward

Blood Lines Poem 5

Hand over happening, staff go into huddles

Notes exchanged, plans are made, for the day ahead

With last-minute check-ups

On fragile bed-bound people

Everyone relieved that no patient is dead

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Patients now awaken, still sluggish and sleepy

Observations taken, first of the day

With blood pressure, temperature

And O2 saturation

Urine pans emptied without delay

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Breakfast is beginning, the smell of toast pervading

The tea trolley rattles down the long corridor

With cups of hot coffee, cold milk

And orange juice

Served by the ancillary, a real warrior!

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Bed changes needed, student nurses practising

Efficient use of time whilst learning how to care

With sheets ripped off, towels swapped

And thin thermal blankets laid

The smell of fresh bedding fills the air

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Cleaners creep round the rooms, quietly sweeping

The remnants of yesterday’s working day

With mops wetted, floors wiped

And bathrooms glistening

Sparkling and shiny, come what may

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Prescriptions to be issued, pharmacists hurrying

To sort the medications for all on the ward

With cabinets opened, drugs checked

And pills popped

Hospital cocktails from a metal-box hoard

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Consultants with an entourage, visit each invalid

Face masks donned, aprons worn, big deep breaths

With a stethoscope ready

They hear a heartbeat steady

Trying to save patients from cancer-causing deaths

I loved the morning routine on the ward. The photo is of the corridor view from one of my rooms. Throughout there are lovely photos - except ironically as patients we hardly saw them as we weren’t allowed out of our room to walk about. The structure of this poem is based upon “Cargoes” by John Masefield which has a brilliant rhythm.

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.

Friends of ANCHOR is one of my local cancer and haematology care charities. It does an awesome job, providing wellbeing support, funding research and equipment as well as coming alongside staff to cover the cost of development opportunities. Head to their Facebook page to keep up to date with their events, latest news and volunteer opportunities.