WARD  

THE WARD 


The grey light of dawn 
slants across
the iron bedsteads...
A trolley rattles.
A nurse in sturdy shoes 
walks heavily
across linoleum floors.

Good morning gentlemen..
Bed pan? Mouth wash?
Slept well Mr B? 
Slept well Mr T?"
She doesn't wait to hear the answer.

"Where am I?" 
bleats the frightened voice
of the man suffering 
from mental confusion.
"Hospital dear". 
The nurse's answer is automatic

The man has asked daily 
for four months now.
"Nurse, what day is it?"
Bright blue eyes
look anxiously 
from the tired face.
"Monday" says the nurse.

The hint of hope 
in the blue eyes fades.
"Thank you nurse. 
I just wondered."

"Can't think why you bother"
snaps the man 
suffering from arthritis,
"Every day's the same here."

"Not for me. 
I'm going home" 
trills the man
who came in to have his 
big toe straightened.

His wife was 
calling for him by car, 
he told them.

"Goodness knows how 
She'll manage the housework.
My toe is terribly sore."

The man whose right leg 
has been amputated, 
says nothing

He has heard the tea trolley
with its rattle of cups 
approaching. 

And is grateful 
for small mercies.





   




J MILTON © 2022
www PoetryNext com