Dying Man in Bed Four

What do you see, nurse, what's going on?

What are you thinking, when my buzzer turns on? -

desk full of paperwork growing in size?

climbing into bed and closing your eyes?

perhaps you are aching from hours on your feet?

or maybe you're desperate for something to eat?

I'm sure being overworked is something you hate,

but shouldn't you leave that at the hospital gate?

I lay here riddled with cancer, moaning in pain

wondering if you care or if I'm a drain.

I wonder if a kind hand will take mine in care,

or if I will be met with a cold stony glare.

I know you don't have time to sit by me a while,

but would it really be too much to flash me a smile?

When you come with charts and machines to inspect

is it too much to ask that you show me respect?

I know you're all human and that you feel too,

but it isn't my fault you have so much to do.

Please don't excuse yourself with the woes of your day,

I'm scared and I'm hurting as life fades away.

I spent my life teaching with compassion and care,

but this cancer it grips me, I've nothing to spare.

Some of you have the most beautiful of hearts,

but the lottery of care, it tears me apart -

I worry if a smile is the last thing I'll see

or if you'll be looking at your watch, instead of at me.

I'm probably not you're first and I won't be your last,

but I'm the only me, present, future and past.

The life I have lived is fading; death hangs overhead,

Fill my last days with kindness, for soon I'll be dead.

So return to your training, your core values, be aware

are you the nurse with the kind touch or the cold stony glare?

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