Three Little Faces Poem by Joe Hughes

I leave Boots with my Panadol tablets
As she screams at her white car door.
I am struck with such utter puzzlement
But I approach her as she loudly roars.

'Nanny', she shouts hysterically.
'It's Nanny', she shouts once more.
There on the road I see her,
Lying motionless - no stir!

The young girl has seen the accident,
So I take her small hand in mine.
I talk calmly whilst she settles down
As the story begins to unwind.

Within the car are her two sisters.
All dressed in school uniforms.
I ask them their names, their ages
As the wind, then the rain start to storm.

Rodrigo, an eyewitness, joins me.
We distract them with toys from the boot.
Sirens blast, lights are flashing, it's pouring.
Medics work under brollies for a roof.

The police arrive Oh! so quickly.
I hand over the children to them.
Then I join the brollied roof on the roadway
To give maximum cover to Nan.

CPR is administered continuously.
A lifewave confirms she's alive.
As strong, sheetlike rain cuts into us
They prepare for a hospital drive.

She is lifted with tubing, with wires
As the trolley fits neatly in place.
Then the ambulance sirens screech loudly.
For them it's a lifesaving race.

But whilst they prepare for their leaving
I return to the girls in the car.
'Can I give my Nanny a big kiss? '
Asks the child, once disturbed but now calm.

'The ambulance is ready to leave.
Your Nan is all tucked up inside
But I'm sure that you'll all see her later',
I explain with emotions to hide.

The road now lies quiet, so silent.
Closing time has now passed, yes well gone.
I stay by the car for a moment
Disbelieving of all that's gone on!

One last look in the car before leaving
To say my goodbyes to the girls.
Three petite, angelic faces stare back
With the slightest, small hints of three smiles.

It's an image burnt deeply within me
Of three children so young, so alive.
Then later I hear the sad news
That Nanny had failed to survive!

(For Nanny. R.I.P)