The Senior Nurse

Yesterday i met the lady Karen
She examined me
And said that
Probably I
had a cracked rib
And thats what I remembered
A sharp,cracking sound
And honestly
would also probably be a reason
why

The operation coming could be delayed
I had done the right thing
I now would have to see
She said to take
painkillers giving some to me

I do not take them
Ever generally
But she
thought this kind of pain
Coupled with my arthritics
Was too much and to get me
through the day
It would be good to do it
As an exception
Somebody who cared
And it felt ok

Others had said similar
Yes my friends
I was feeling vulnerable today
It was the way she said it
A sort of culmination
Someone I didn’t know
Did softly say

In everything i do
It will feel better
And I guess I
Not wanting to weaken
But this extra exercise
I could drive
With them so another reason why

Hemel Hempstead hospital
An experience of caring
All the staff
prepared to go beyond
What I expect
for me a realisation
For hospital per se
I am not that fond

Later the operation
It was cancelled
It wasn’t felt to be a good idea
Everything is falling around
My shoulders
And the way that Karen said it
Just seemed clear

Richard came and took me
right down to my car
Actually he quietly
was also quite a star

Thank you to you all