Linda

[MichaelFirewalker]

that first year,
on the surgical ward we chose,
we grew expertise and a true
friendship among infiltrated IV’s,
damaged cut-downs, incisions
we could see might never heal,
the many plugged drainage tubes
sterile saline grudgingly milked clean,
and the thankfully few
eyes we had to close.

Christmas memories return,
burn with fierce reverence for your
unfailing kindness, your amazing,
born-again grace during the last
labored breaths of one young
husband near a Hodgkins death.

his hysterical wife, herself cast
violently onto his fevered form,
tore at his face, his arms, angrily
struck his chest.

all the while screaming, “don’t-leave-me!-
o-please-for-god’s-sake-don’t-leave-me!”
over and over and over, she completely
ignored his obvious, intense distress.

how soft was the cushion of tenderness
covering the iron of your face, as you extricated
her from him, determined to give him at least
some small measure of comfort, peace, rest.

you were the quiet prima donna
of uniformed compassion’s white ballet.

over the years, we kept in touch, until
yesterday, in the clinic where you work,
when you saw me from across the room.

instantly I knew someone had told you.

when I flashed my happy “hi!”,
my brightest smile, your expressionless,
born-again face became the silent iron,

and turned away…

[mfwilkie]

Tough to go through, and tough to write, Mick.

Objectively, in this stanza, you might consider editing out 'now'.

And I was wondering if 'born-again' would be an apt description for grace back when this happened since further into the poem, in the sixth stanza*, you talk about her always having this grace?

Mags

Christmas memories now return,
burn with fierce reverence for your
unfailing kindness, your amazing,
born-again grace during the last
labored breaths of one young
husband near a Hodgkins death.


*in all my years, among all the nurses met,
none had the caring touch you so naturally,
consistently displayed on duty every day.

[MichaelFirewalker]

hi Mags----thanks for reviewing the thing----I dropped now...

this was back in the early seventies, during the "Jesus movement"-----its key descriptive was "born-again", which was not a synonym for grace, but rather for one's connection to a religious movement----from the beginning, there were lots of "born-agains" who clearly were born again in name only, displaying little grace----but Linda herself has always had a certain grace, especially during patient care----it has nothing to do with religion, but is a part of who she is----of course, she certainly did prove that day just how selective her natural grace can be...

mick

[Jonathan Morey Weiss-Namaste47]

Dear Michael...........why does it have to be like that?

"you were the quiet prima donna
of uniformed compassion's white ballet."

These are two stunning lines..........I guess she must have had to be in uniform in order to be compassionate to her charges, and yet, she was in uniform when she saw you.......where was the compassion then?

In this poem, as in others, I see and feel the little girl whose best friends leave her, one by one. My heart's tears summon the words......you can always play with me. I will never turn my back.....or leave you.

[Jo Lynn Ehnes]

I don't even know how to respond to this. Brought a tear to my eye and some memories I smiled at and thanked God your light was great that day.

Love you,
JL

[MichaelFirewalker]

you two guys leave me not knowing what to say, but my heart, my old heart will remember your many, real kindnesses, always----it is slowly learning how to recognize what is real, and what is not...

with all my love and light and life,
michael

Jon...HEY HEY AYIN

[Ron Wallace (Scotshawk)]

Hard to explain how much power I found in words of simple grace. I was moved; isn't that poetry's job? Very well done, my friend. Ron

[ramadevi]

I was also very moved. This is a powerful, beautiful poem.
Vividly descriptive storytelling with "simple grace", as Ron poeticlaly put it. I have witnessed many hospital deaths and could relate to the story. The ending it tragic and powerful.

you were the quiet prima donna
of uniformed compassion’s white ballet.

I agree with JOn, these lines are exquisite...and serve to highlight the contrast in her behavior dramatically displayed.

Excellent poem!

[MichaelFirewalker]

Ron and Rama----I understand your two hearts' responses to this poem, which was my own heart's gift, and I marvel with you at the paradoxical power of beauty born from pain...

love you both,
michael