An Observation Poem by PAUL COLVIN

It’s rife with sickness and disease,
With folk impossible to please.
Hospital staff has a thankless task
And some patients don’t know how to ask.

They see a doctor, shout at him
Their manners, nothing less than grim.
To ask politely, can you help?
Not them, this lot, just scream and yelp!

In A&E, they’re full of drink
A weekend binge, some patients stink.
They don’t know when they’ve had enough,
Been in a fight and looking rough.

They’ve been at war with other races
But only cos they’re off their faces.
They’d normally, be gentle, kind
But last night left their brains behind!

The backroom staff, though seldom seen
Small cogs in this well oiled machine.
We play our part, not at the fore
But we’re right there, right at the core.

From private wards to NHS
They’ll get the best care, nothing less.
Though some complain, now and again,
All great machines stick now and then.

I see young doctors, nurses, students.
Witty, funny, with some impudence.
They’re here to learn ways and means
These young folk just out their teens.

I wonder what goes through their minds?
Their first days here, they see all kinds.
Was this the right choice that I made?
Don’t worry kid, you’ll make the grade.