I’m sat with a patient,
In their room. It’s 12.55
The orientating clock says that clearly
The patient knows I’m there
Medication has been given and the bed is comfortably made.
The patient is fighting sleep but desperately needs it .
Strange shapes hide behind the television and the wardrobe
And I sit between them and the bed
The patient knows I am there
Silently I read the news on my tablet.
I reply to an email and a message or two
And try to sound fatherly when I say
It’s time to sleep.
The patient knows I am there.
I watch a silent video about a blind horse
And a chubby gay New Yorker dances in the street
I read news on Gaza
And the reviews of a film I want to see
The patient approaches sleep but knows I am there
Someone is in the room.
I am not the patient but I know the need. Thank you John.
ReplyDeleteSydney
... and so the patient will sleep because you are there and he/she is not alone. Bless you both.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
To die alone would be awful, to die with someone by your side would be 'reassuring'. You write beautifully.
ReplyDeleteLovely lines, composed by someone who KNOWS.
ReplyDeleteGently touching, John. Not sure if you meant it as a poem or not, but it is one. In a case like this, what do you do after the patient falls asleep? Does someone stay all night?
ReplyDeleteJust read a little research on the sleep inducing benefits of the rather automatic soft stroking that mothers do on babies, it works on anyone and can be on any part of the body.
ReplyDelete"Stay with me". And you do. I wish this for everyone.
ReplyDeleteYou can read that as either a gentle, emotional, and comforting story about human love and caring - or as a horror story (with a gentle, emotional, and comforting nurse lovingly caring and protecting his patient while horror lurks in the shadows).
ReplyDeleteSeen too many Halloween posts already.
Ulvmor
Possibly the most important "job" of a nurse. xx
ReplyDeleteLovely.
ReplyDeleteI would not want to be alone either. x
ReplyDeleteWould bate for someone to be there when I tried to sleep, even for the last time. Sorry I must be the exception. Pam
ReplyDeleteI was married for five years without any child, because of this my husband start acting very strange at home, coming home lately and not spending time with me any more. and because of this my husband divorce me. So i became very sad and lost in life because my doctor told me there is no way for me to get pregnant this really make life so hard for me and my family. my friend told me about Dr. Wealthy from the Internet, how he has helped people with this similar problem that i am going through so i contacted him and explain to him. he cast a reunite spell to bring back my husband and it was a miracle three days later my husband came back to apologize for all he has done and told me he is fully ready to support me in any thing i want, few month later i got pregnant and gave birth to twins (girls) we are happy with ourselves. Thanks to Dr.Wealthy for saving my relationship and for also saving others too. continue your good work, If you are interested to contact him and testify this blessings like me, the great spell caster email address is:(wealthylovespell@gmail.com)
ReplyDeleteAs always beautifully expressed
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written John. I find great comfort in knowing someone is there,even now. Recently, I have come to hate the dark of the night and often need to keep a little lamp on.
ReplyDeleteAbove is me, Carole R. Forgot to add my name.
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful, even though it did break me a little as I remembered my Dad. Maybe his hospital nurse had said that to him?
ReplyDeleteTo misquote the Bard,
ReplyDeleteTo sleep,
Perchance to dream,
There is the rub,
For in the sleep,
What dreams may come,
Understated but so meaningful x
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
And they are not alone. You are there.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteBeautifully stated.
ReplyDeleteWe can all agree, nobody should be alone. I'm glad you are there.
You bring peace to so many; to your patients, and to your readers.
ReplyDeletethis is beautiful, what a comfort
ReplyDeleteSusan M/ Calif
Grateful to you for being “there.” Such a normal day.
ReplyDeleteSuch a comfort given, I'd hate to be alone too, sensing a calm peaceful presence would enable a gentle sleep.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I would have said if I was good with words. Yours are lovely Jo, as are John's.
DeleteNursing takes many forms, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteLovely.
ReplyDeleteYes. It is important. Beautiful
ReplyDeleteMay I ask what an orientating clock is? I believe you were/ are doing such a humane and important thing, no one wants to be alone, I guess, esp as life is ending. Thank you for what you do.
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful! I’m so glad you were there. Carol in Atlanta 🌘💗💙🌟
ReplyDelete