BLUE AND WHITE

An all-nighter in the ER

Red lights flash, sirens blare

weave around crowded city streets

bumpy ride

a  gentle hand

white and blue coats rush from patient to patient

a hierarchy of illness

glaring lights in ER

vitals of life or near death

 

I sit in a hard plastic chair

hour after hour

desperate to speak, to listen, to confirm

confused, I wish to grab anyone, blue or white

to validate to verify

they rush, without an ear

 

My eyes close

then open with a jerk of the neck, timeless

still no word of assurance

or alarm

 

 

T’s dawn now

I wobble to a window

squint to see the sky

gray mass of concrete greets me

too weary to discern

 

Still upright, though head dances

barely conscious

I check on my hubby

bags drip with life

a crooked smile

 

Sleep comes easy

when I recognize

all is good enough

---

 

Reviews

[red93]

Clearly a part of an ongoing narrative B which I shall try to follow more of. Our local NHS Hospitals here in Bristol UK have had millions of pounds ploughed into them in an effort to improve the healthcare available - believe me they needed it ! I enjoyed yr Piece - Really Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Red, a thoughtful review and I appreciate you!
Warmly, B

[carl]

Oh my what and exposure of feelings - been in that chair a few times and it is heart in throat. Your words carry a clear understanding of the situation - carl

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Carl for a fine understanding of the poem
Warmly
B

[Zoe Richardson]

How hard it is to be the one in the waiting room, anxious for any word of their loved one. So often, I am the patient and I wonder which is worse. To know my loved ones are full of anxiety for my well-being, or to have no one at all waiting for word of my demise. I am glad your hubby was 'good enough' to ease your worry!

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Zoe, for your thoughtful review!
Warmly, B

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank God for modern medicine. The scene you so very well paint is harrowing and scary, but it is miraculous. Having been the one with the bags dripping into, I appreciate your look at the other side.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks so much Sam; much appreciated!
Warmly
B😊👍

[Kady R.]

Hiii Betty!!

Woooww. I know how it is to be in the ER but I've never thought to write about what I experienced in it. You captured what we all would experience at least one point in our lives very vividly. I hope everything is going okay in your life. Its never easy to be in the ER or having a family member admitted.

--Kady

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Kady
It was quite an experience; your review is spot on!
Warmly
B🌷🌷🌷🌷

[Pete]

you capture the scene so well, maybe too well. lots of tension and confusion. i like the nervous flow of your words until the relaxed end. kept on edge as wasn't sure where things were headed.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks always Pete for your special reviews!!!
Appreciate!
Warmly, B

[RomaJ]

I love how the use of color...blue and white coats, flashing red lights, and the gray dawn... enhances the intensity and emotion of the ER night. It makes the scene vivid and helps the reader feel both the urgency and the eventual relief.

[Betty Hermelee]

A perfect review RomaJ..thank you so much!
Warmly, B

[Neville]

You just smashed it Betty .. I know from personal experience what a kaleidoscope of colour accident & emergency department all over the globe tend to be .. even on a relatively quiet night they still overflow don't they .. I am still occasionally called out to attend & only thinking about it makes me sweat ..

Warmly yours,

Neville 🌻🌻👍

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Neville for a fine review, much appreciated!!!
Warmly, B

[John the Baptist]

Having visited er's professionally many times, I can testify as to the accuracy of this word picture of one. Noise, blaring lights, the looks of concern on the faces of those waiting patiently for news of a loved one in treatment. The last two verses communicate effectively the emotions of one of those who has been waiting for a long time.

[Betty Hermelee]

That would be me John… yes hubby decided to visit the ER in NYC.. 7 days later he is weak, but glad to be out!
Thank you for your astute review👍😊
Warmly
B🌷

[J Todd Underhill]

Loved this piece. I was a ER registrar for 10 years for a Level 1 trauma center. This poem brought back many memories for me. Well written indeed.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Todd, much appreciated!!!
Warmly, B