poems in the time of a pandemic.

1. Oh, Poor Mildred.

"Oh, Poor Mildred."
By Valeria Velez

One day, she enters work.
She's assigned to take care of her patient, Mildred.
Oh, poor Mildred, stuck in the hospitals for most of her years;
Out-lived all of her children with grandkids who don't know of her existence.
Who knew the only people who kept her company would be taken away from her too.

This nurse does her job, taking care of sweet, old Mildred.
Grateful for all of her work, she thanks her,
Wishing her a great night for her and her family.

The next day, poor Mildred wakes up with a dry throat.
But with no one around to bring her water, she stays,
Her mouth, arid and pasty.

It wasn't long before more and more visitors began coming to the hospital.
People of all ages entered in comas and were rushed down the hallway,
Past her lonely room.
She catches a glimpse of the nurse lady who keeps her company,
Only to be ignored as she rushed down with other doctors.

It isn't long before Mildred starts counting the number of people in comas.
She began counting how many times dear nurse lady would pass by,
Each time with a new patient of different ages.
Poor Mildred couldn't help but stare in awe,
Seeing as everything went wrong in a matter of hours.

Days passed, and then weeks.
Dear nurse lady would barely have time to greet Mildred with so many patients under her care.
Mildred grew lonely and could only count the hours and hope it was all a dream.
It was like a reoccurring nightmare, watching as people younger than she was coming in with
Their lungs on the brink of collapsing,
Each patient perhaps breathing their last breath.

Poor Mildred couldn't help but cry at the sight.
And soon, more and more familiar faces began to disappear.
And if she hasn't been already through a lot, poor Mildred,
Dear nurse lady had to leave her too
Along with the countless souls lost to this biological battle.

Oh, poor Mildred didn't see an end to her suffering just yet.
Alone, neglected, and ignored, poor Mildred was now breathing her last breaths.
Just like the rest of the patients out in the hallway, her lungs were collapsing.
But she didn't cry; she simply smiled, knowing she wouldn't be alone anymore.
She knew she'd meet her dear nurse lady again in the afterlife, where they both deserved to be.