Another cause, another war,
soldiers curse and soldiers cry
infection bites, soldiers die.
The surgeon's knife, the soldiers' screams,
diphtheria, typhoid, dysentery rife,
bloodied stumps, misplaced limbs.
Word of the suffering gets back home
and to tend the wounded Florence will come
with volunteer nurses she herself trained;
horrific conditions to see for herself.
The staff overworked, indifferent command,
shortage of medicines and filth all around.
No proper kitchens, no proper food,
Poor ventilation and sewers that smelled.
She lobbied the government, sent home for help
Built a new hospital, worked there herself
She roamed through its wards by light of a lamp
Bringing solace and healing while the medics all slept.
Good sanitation, nutrition and care
The tradition of nursing began right back there
YOU ARE READING
My Poets Pub Bits
PoetryI was fortunate enough to discover Poet's Pub very early in my Wattpad experience and have found it a hugely supportive community. This is a collection of poems I submitted for various Poets Pub competitions and collections. They are published in bo...
