A young girl weeps,

A young girl weeps,

She wants her mum

To stop the pain

And take her home again.

Too afraid to stay

Alone in a hospital bed

With the moans and groans

The smells and bells

The beeps and whirs

Breaking the peace.

Or the woman

Kicking off

In the next bay

Who curses and yells,

Tells a Malaysian

Nurse to effing go away.

‘…Get away from me

You German Bastard

Get out of my house…’

She is slowly dementing

Brain cells misfiring

Caught up in delusion

Of wartime memories.

The Isle of Jersey

And occupation

No matter who

Wants to wash her

She needs reassurance

Before participating.

And still people sleep,

Some barely make a peep

Until the pain returns,

Their stomach burns,

The morphine kicks in,

And they sleep again.

Dream they are on a night train

To Cairo

Waiting at the border,

With visa in order.

A romantic break

Until they are startled awake

By the tea round,

A familiar sound,

A squeaky wheel,

a cheery voice

Offering a choice

Of tea or coffee,

As a comfort

Of sorts,

From a volunteer

Bringing good cheer

For the patient,

And even their consort.

All things being well.`

In an hour or two

They will serve a meal

You would not

Choose to eat,

Anywhere else

But in a hospital ward

When tied to a bed.