Welcome to Poetry Friday. Today I am the host and I’m feeling a needed boost today, weather-wise. Spring is in the air–it’s warm and the sun has showed up in Syracuse, having shone elsewhere for quite a while. So, Yay!!!
What is Poetry Friday? Find out here.
I’m celebrating women’s history month by finding One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum at my local library. Can’t wait to read it.
I also am about to read the Narrative of Sojourner Truth which I have never read.
I look forward to reading all your blogs! Please leave your blog address with Mr. Linky at the end of this post.
Before I continue, I would like to thank Laura Shovan for the 13th Annual February Facebook Poetry Project. Click on her name to find her blog containing useful information for poets and teachers, though I’m sure many are familiar with her work. In February, I was inspired by the daily prompts all by different poets on Facebook.
Like many I’ve been thinking about public service with all the firing of government civil servants, who, in their different ways, save lives. Think of the Department of Education. By supporting schools and scholarships, those civil servants certainly save lives by investing in the future of all students. Think of the Department of Justice that is supposed to investigate crime, and researchers at the NIH. Those who spend their lives helping others are special people.
I will share a short poem I wrote about nurses, who care for people 24/7 in V.A. Hospitals. When I was an intern the VA was a favorite place to work. The veterans were always grateful for their care and liked the young students who came by, even as they were poked and prodded. The patients taught students a great deal, as did the nursing staff.
NIGHT NURSE
In our busy ER
monitors beep
people in pain,
records to keep.
I’ve been working since midnight,
a twelve hour shift,
IV’s to hang,
sick patients to lift.
lunch break at five,
from the chaos, a gap,
I close my eyes
for a moment,
and steal a short nap.
© Janice Scully 2023
The middle of the night in a hospital is special. It’s a world that few get to see, away from the noise and commotion of the busier hectic day shift. For staff, circadian rhythms seemed to bottom out around 5AM, and must recover however they can until the shift ends.
In the 19th century, Walt Whitman wrote about nursing in a most serious way. He worked as a nurse during the Civil War, caring for dying soldiers, describing in depth his experience in the poem, Nursing the Wounded and Dying. It’s a long poem. Here is an excerpt:
Excerpt from Nursing the Wounded and Dying
by Walt Whitman
With dear or critical cases I generally sit by the restless all the dark night,
Some are so young, some suffer so much.
I stand in the dark with drooping eyes by the worst-suffering and the most restless,
I pass my hands soothingly to and fro a few inches from them;
I find deep things, unreckoned by current print or speech—
It is perhaps the greatest interchange of magnetism human relations are capable of.
His “interchange of magnetism” in human relations is fascinating and emotionally touching; the feeling passing from patient to care giver. Here’s his likeness on a copy of his collection Leaves of Grass.
There are more men in nursing now. But it began as a women’s profession in the mid-nineteenth century. Florence Nightingale did much to established nursing as a profession during her work in the Crimea and later, and should be remembered.
During this time of upheaval which seems to involve every corner of the United States, I’ve appreciated by family and friends more than ever. I have become much more aware of those who serve our country and keep people and democracy alive. I look forward to reading all of your posts.
Your post brings healing on so many levels, Janice. Thank you. (I still need to find Marcie’s book, too!) The sheer scale of derision from those in power heaped on those who have devoted their lives to service is something I’ve found shocking – from USAID workers to those who work in the VA to those who manage programs for special-needs kids… the list goes on. But you are in the business of lifting up over here – thanks again for that, and thanks for hosting!
The “sheer scale” is right! It’s too much! Thanks for reading.
Thanks so much for your poem, the Whitman excerpt and your words about caregiving, nursing, the all important “interchange of magnetism.” We are in dire straits when those in power care more about self service than public service and seemingly discount the impact on those they flippantly “dismiss” whose only ‘crime’ is to do their jobs. Thanks for hosting this week.
Thanks, Jama! So much going on!
My copy of Marcie’s book arrived the other day, yay!
And nurses are some of my favorite people.
Thanks for hosting, Janice!
My wife is a NP, and has worked every shift imagineable over her career, so I completely understand how this night nurse feels. Thanks for sharing – and for hosting, Janice!
Say hi to your wife for me! She knows what 5AM is like on a hospital unit. Thanks Matt.
Lovely celebration of nurses, Janice! Thank you. I had the privilege of reading an advance copy of Marcie’s book. I know you’ll love it!
Several of my cousins are nurses, so I am well advised in their dedicated service. I had a first hand experience on numerous occasions in the past year. I therefore applaud your celebration of their unstinting efforts, Janice. Your words and those of Walt Whitman serve to shine a light on their vital work in supporting the health of petients.
Thanks for your poem Janice–your service to so many, and rich post focusing on all the important Public Service Individuals–my poem reflects on this last week and more. And thanks also for hosting!
Your poem fits in so great with the health poems I’ve been sharing, Janice. I love your observations. We’ve been grateful for good nursing and keenly aware of the important, exhausting work they do. When our niece was in ICU last year, we were once again incredibly thankful. I’m not a big fan of Whitman’s poetry, but I can be a full supporter of his nursing work!
Thanks for hosting, Janice!
Thanks for hosting us, Janice! I’m with you in celebrating Women’s History Month by reading Marcie’s book…it’s on the top of the stack from the library!
Janice, I appreciate your blog post that honors Women’s History Month and nurses. After being in the hospital in May and my husband recently, I think highly of nurses, especially the night nurses who consider their patients’ rest. “Sick patients to lift.” is a difficult job for sure. Thank you for hosting and bringing Syracuse to mind.
Janice, I appreciate your blog post that honors Women’s History Month and nurses. After being in the hospital in May and my husband recently, I think highly of nurses, especially the night nurses who consider their patients’ rest. “Sick patients to lift.” is a difficult job for sure. Thank you for hosting and bringing Syracuse to mind.
When I had a hospital stay a few years ago, the nurses were my heroes. I went back later and brought them a gift. It’s truly the nurses who do the leg work and long hours. They are a special breed of (mostly) women.
Janice,
Thank you for hosting. The poems you shared struck a chord for me as I was a NICU nurse first at U of R’s Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester and, then at Buffalo Children’s in Buffalo – both level III NICU’s – Both poems describe well some of the duties and heartaches that nurses perform. It is a critical profession. I fondly remember my days in both units. I also got Marcie’s book – I pre-ordered it so I’ll have to start reading it as it showed up in my mailbox this week. I’m glad the sun is out in Syracuse. We found the days were very gray when we were in Brockport recently. We all could use some sun and warmth.
Hi Carol! I had forgotten or didn’t know you were a nurse. And in Rochester! It’s a beautiful day here. A little warmth goes a long way this time of year. Thanks for reading.
Thank you for hosting us, Janice! It is shameful for them to attack the VA. The president(s) give every impression of trying to make our country weak, and what better way to do that than to diminish people and departments doing valuable work. As you say, “I have become much more aware of those who serve our country and keep people and democracy alive.” Thanks again!
Hi Janice – thanks for hosting. I love seeing Marcie’s book here…and Whitman, too! Have your read Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott? She served as a Civil War nurse. xo
It’s appalling to see how cavalier this current administration is. I can’t say I’m even surprised anymore by what they do, but I am perpetually dismayed by the excuses and rationalizations that others are making for their choices. On another note, my husband is a NP, so I have a special place for nurses in my heart. Also, a biography of Florence Nightingale was one of my favorite books in elementary school. She accomplished amazing things! Thanks for hosting this week!
I’m a veteran, and nurses are so vital to our care. Thank you for this beautiful tribute to them.