In honor of National Nurses week, I wanted to share this poem with all the nurses I know and all the nurses I have not yet been honored to meet.
One Nurse’s Choice to Serve
By Effie Darlene Barba
So Tired and worn she was that day
Slowly now she made her way
With nothing left that she could say
She fought so hard to save his life
And then explain to his dear wife
That He was gone now far away
She held back each and every tear
All the anguish, all the fear
She gazed into the bathroom mirror
She wore the mask, the gentle smile
That she must wear a little while
For all the patients left to cheer
Tired and worn she left that day
Her heart and mind in disarray
What could she do? No need to stay
Her shoulders, back and feet did ache
Not near as much as her heart break
She’d hurry home alone to pray
Exhausted now she went to bed
Her whispered prayer was hardly said
Her Bible lay today unread
Her sorrow did her heart consume
And fill the corners of the room
Too tired to think or look ahead
She then awoke at early dawn
Once more to work she would be drawn
Her coffee pushing back her yawn
She donned the uniform once more
As she had all the years before
As off to work she had then gone
Today would be a brand new day
With many words left now to say
A nurse will always find her way
For Angels held her through the night
Instilling strength and God’s own might
As Mercy, Love replaced dismay
And as she walked onto her floor
A patient standing by his door
He called her name and called once more
“Thank you, my dear for all you’ve done
Because of you my battle’s won”
Those words then caused her heart to soar
And as she worked on this bright day
She knew the words that she should say
Remembering why she chose this way
A nurse was who she’d always be
‘Twas more than merely destiny
It was her choice a nurse to stay
And from this honor never swerve
It always was her choice to serve
[bctt tweet=”Nursing is more than a career for those of us who choose to serve, it is who we are.” username=”effiedarlene”]
I would love for you to take a moment and share a comment, a story, or a dedication for either a nurse you know or your own experiences as a nurse. Click here to comment. then scroll to comment section or press leave a comment below.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.