It began raining as I approached the hospital
six-fifteen, I passed two MVA’s
I’m not even in the building
and already I’m witness to suffering.

The frequent-flyers arrive shortly after
cough’s, back pain and headaches
they’re caught up with the pills
a different kind of pain, feigning.

All day I steady the infirm,
witness the agony of their loved ones
huddled together in droves
drawn closer by the day’s pain.

Hour after hour, one patient after the next
chest pain, abdominal pain, unresponsive
CHF, COPD, CVA, and two MI’s
leaving their lives in our hands.

A flat line sounds just before shift change
somber faces watch as the nurses rush in
it takes twenty minutes to steady a pulse
the paddles firing three times.