Saturday, June 14, 2008

Through the Eyes of a Nurse

Through the Eyes of a Nurse
~ Gail Hannay, BSN, RN, CCRN

What a joy to behold
What challenges life brings
All to be seen
Through the eyes of a nurse.

The newborn's first cry
A gentle touch, a word of comfort,
A quiet moment, a steady push
A dying heart that won't jumpstart.

We see life from its beginning
We watch others breathe their last
Weaving scientific knowledge
With a special gift of touch.

We choose how deeply to connect
Find a surreal sense of being
Remind ourselves time and again
Of the difference we are making.

Nurses take life's experiences in
Incorporating them into our soul
Always selflessly sharing and giving
Wherever need is found.

There is not greater blessing than this
To see life
To live life
To treasure life
Through the eyes of a nurse.

From time to time, I had said I'd post limericks, poems or double dactyls. This particular poem I found in a publication I received today, and it touched upon something that Wordcrafters were talking about on our chat. A few were saying that they disliked their jobs...that the work part of life is the worst. I realize that work can be challenging and frustrating. I don't always want to rise at 6 a.m. (tomorrow, Sunday, I must rise at 5:30 a.m. to catch a flight!) or work all weekend or meet every deadline. But I love my work. I wonder if that doesn't have something to do with the poem. It is a privilege to be able to positively affect the lives of people. Nurses don't make a lot of money, but surveys show that they are highly respected by the American public.

2 comments:

Cat Herself said...

Yes, nurses are very well-respected. I can't imagine ever doing what you all do. It is a calling, for sure.

Kalleh said...

Aw, you're so sweet. It's the same with librarians, though.