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

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Betty, this is an experience we can all do without. An emergency ride to A & E and the panic that can bring when a loved one is in danger. The waiting and waitin for a snippet of news can be unbearable. It reminds me of a situation 25 years ago with my daughter. A never ending night of exhaustion and the relief that came after hours of pacing and praying. I am hoping dear Betty that you and your hubby are in a better situation. You capture in your words the agony. Well penned.Take care dear poet.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear Chris....he's out of hospital, but still rather weak...though getting stronger each day...
you are a sweetheart for your thoughts
Warmly ,B

[Chris Shaw]

Thinking about you both Betty 🌹

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear friend!
Warmly, B

[Michael Sun Bear]

Betty, I consider this one of the best things you have written, I suspect because it is autobiographical and not fictional. If it is fictional, you have definitely given it a feel of realism. Well done either way, and if this is a true story, I hope he is now well. Michael

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for your fine review Michael....this is very true and my hubby out of the hospital after 7 days has left him weak, a big setback!!
now 24 hour care for a while
Warmly, B

[Michael Sun Bear]

Well best of luck going forward.

[Betty Hermelee]

many thanks!!!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I wonder why it is that there isn't somebody there to speak to the loved ones as soon as possible...the not-knowing is the worst.

My buddy had cancer surgery...He was in there for 10 hours....the last two no one came out to give us a word. His step daughter was with me. When the surgeon finally came out to talk with us, he was really upset that no one had updated us that there was a complication with the surgery...he was okay, but we should have been updated.
I just don't get it and I felt this poem.
j.

[Emunah June.]

I can tell you, its because hospitals refuse to pay for extra people to work those positions. Hospitals are becoming reckless in care. I work as a safety sitter, so I sit with patients who are suicidal, homicidal, drunk, high, confused, dementia, etc and just keep them safe, make sure they dont fall. Im only supposed to watch 1 at a time to ensure safety, but lately they've been putting 2 or even 3 patients in a room with me! When I asked why, its "they need to be watched, but we just dont have enough sitters to keep it individual."

Same with everything else. Not enough nurses, not enough assistants, not enough CNAs, not enough anyone. Its not right, its not fair, it breeds more anxiety than necessary.

[Betty Hermelee]

This is for Jacob....Thank you for your heartfelt review....much appreciated
Warmly, B

[Betty Hermelee]

And J...I agree with all that you said!!!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I also understand what Emunah June is saying...not enough sitters, those not willing to hire or pay people who are desperately at certain positions.

[Betty Hermelee]

Very true, but she commented in your space...
not a big deal!
B

[Emunah June.]

A beautiful but tragic ode to what emergency rooms look like these days.Theyre always busy, sure, but sometimes I worry theyre pushing capacity for the sake of extra bodies without the manpower to sufficently treat them.

Ive worked in healthcare for some time now -- not a nurse yet, but studying to be one -- and so Ive spent a large portion of time in the emergency room in my city, and I see so much that could be / should be better. Beds line the sides of the walls, people sitting up with emesis basins or crying. Psych patients freaking out and screaming and harassing other people in open spaces. Why, just last night I had a man follow me from the ER lobby to the parking lot asking me for a 20 dollar bill to "please the spirits"! Its insane!

That being said, I see this epidemic from both sides. I feel the anger and worry in patients who have to wait 8+ hours to be seen is completely justified, but working in the field, I always say "if you can afford to wait, then youre in good shape". If youre being rushed in and seen right away, typically, its not a very good sign. The hospitals are bursting at the seams with patients and not nearly enough RNs or allied staff to carry the load. Its creating a poor patient experience for all involved, and typically gets people hurt.

You did a brilliant job of conveying how a patient in these circumstances would feel. The anxiety, the sights, the sounds, all of it is captured perfectly. Its a sad experience all the way around, but you top off the poem with just a bit of optimism and hope that will, hopefully, continue to inspire healing.

Always a joy to read your work, my friend.

[petec3638]

Nice one Betty > Blue & white nurses Dark green Paramedics blue lights & sirens
sitting inside all calm while I worry will we get held up
No she isn't on a drip

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Pete3638.... enjoyed your review!
Warmly, B