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Masks And Whiskers

half-dead they do linger

machines tinkle and purr

medics swathed in plastic

distressed humans a-stir

 

beneath ICU wards and

amid odd cavities galore

smaller fauna breathes

distant the muffled roar

 

who considers the mice?

they live in hospital too

a big enough challenge

without this virus stew

 

if you listened carefully

on dozing wards at night

...

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maskswhiskersmiceICUoxygenlungslaboratoriesNHS

Safe

Battle-hardened Sister Yvonne

Missed nothing

Double-checking mask, visor, gown

Everything.

Colleagues, even

Consultants, relied on her to pin-point

Gaps in their armoury.

If anyone was safe from patients

She was.

After her shift last night she

Clocked off and

Walking to her car

Got hit by a taxi taking home a patient.

Reliable to the end

She did not troubl...

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🌷(1)

safemaskvisorgownICU

The Specialist

You didn't argue with him

Registrars quailed and more than one

Seasoned sister had fled in tears while

He was loaded, a

Private practice financing

Mansion, country cottage, horses, boat

All the trappings

A pretty if fading wife who'd put up

With a lot.

He was in his prime.

Then that bloody virus hit and he was

King no more

Elective surgery on hold

The normal ...

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specialistsurgeryintensive carelockdownoximeteroxygenICU

Unwanted

Unwanted

 

I sit upon a judgement chair

And watch the lights

And hear the sounds

That emanate from over there

Where broken hopes

And dreams abound

 

You pay me well

But do not want me

Sitting there where you could sit

Taking up your place in hell

Amongst the blood

and tears and shit

 

I came from Spain

To ease the pressure

As hospitals began to...

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NHSbrexitforeign nursesICU

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