They clip along clinical corridors
and treat the tedious and the tragic,
each one reaching beyond their
limits so that each one has hope.
===========
Enclosing, muffling masks cover
their sympathetic smiles, then it’s
visors and space suits and visitors
unwelcome, and the space is sanitised.
===============
Theatres meant for healing lie
empty, panicking patients at home,
while government ministers give
a twist to the screws that will
===================
kill it, destroy it, and buy the
national out of its name, whilst
service is gone from it too, and
it lies broken and bruised and
=================
will be publicly, privately owned,
and clinics will return to those
dying
in destitution, for still a few
brave medics work out of
=============
poverty, kindling purpose ‘n
compassion, understanding
and the graciousness of a
few, living in debt to live out
================
their commission to serve
the suffering sick, keeping
hope for free, while hospitals
thrive
in the pockets of the rich.