Patient Testimonial

Stan Key

An Ode to Nurses

a poem by Stan Key

Just when it seemed we were under a curse 
 The Lord came to visit disguised as a nurse!
The touch of her hand and the smile on her face 
Gave hope in the night, like a channel of grace. 
My story is one that so many could tell, 
For those who have suffered will know it quite well. 
When sickness or surgery put them in bed 
And dark thoughts and hopelessness filled them with dread, 
They too learned how nurses, like angels of light 
Brought faith and brought courage to get through the night. 
Now that Katy and I have joined sufferer’s ranks, 
We want to find ways to give nurses our thanks. 
When life is a lark and the skies are all blue 
The role of a nurse has no meaning to you. 
You may even question why those who are sane 
Would choose a career that has nothing to gain. 
For nurses are those who are given the task 
No one in their right mind ever would ask! 
Bed pans and vomit, foul smells in the air, 
Contagious diseases that lurk everywhere. 
And when they are tending to someone whose bleeding 
heir beeper goes off for another whose needing 
Their expert attention; unless they are fast 
The down-the-hall patient surely won’t last. 
For six weeks my wife has been stuck in a bed, 
Paralysis, nausea, pains in the head. 
It seemed we’d been given a difficult cup, 
And sometimes we both felt like just giving up. 
But just when it seemed things could not be more worse, 
The door would swing open and in walked a nurse! 
Whatever the issue, whatever the need, 
She’d gracefully smile and accomplish the deed. 
Thank God for nurses who answered the call, 
To meet needs of others no matter how small. 
My song is intended to honor and praise, 
The ones who serve others for all of their days.


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