The Night Nurse Poem by Paul Warren

The decision was to work at the Old Folks home
Working the night so he could be alone
Walking his rounds in the semi dark
And on the hour at his station to make his mark
It was lonesome work in those hours
With only his thoughts and sometimes using his nursing powers

His reasons for working at this chore
He wouldn't divulge any less or more
For he was raised by his grandfather's hand
A gentle soul raising him with more persuasion than command
Until one day he came home from school
Wondering why his grandfather had not followed the rule

For he did not collect him at the school gate
And for an hour he did patiently wait
Until he finally decided to walk on home
He followed the way his grandfather has shown
Then he was home using his key to unlock the front door
Dropping his bag he saw his grandfather collapsed on the floor

He took his grandfather in his arms and cried
And could do nothing as he watched and saw he'd died
All he could do was sit in disbelief
And want to tell grandfather of his love in his grief
The years went on until one day he hatched a plan alone
And he trained as a nurse in aged care homes

He volunteered for the night shift times
When as the duty nurse it suited him fine
And when an older person was on their last hours on earth
He'd sit with them and comfort them with all that he was worth
And lastly he would whisper in their right ear
When you see my grandfather tell him I love him dear.

© Paul Warren Poetry