The Life of a Nurse

The world grows better year by year,
Because some nurse in her little sphere,
Puts on her apron, grins and sings
And keeps on doing the same old things,
Taking the temperatures, giving the pills
To remedy mankind’s numberous ills.
Feeding the baby, answering the bells,
Being polite, with a heart that rebels,
Longing for home, and all the while
Wearing the same old professional smile.
Blessing the new-born babies breath,
Closing the eyes that are still in death.
Taking the blame for all the mistakes.
O, dear, what a lot of patience it takes!
Going off duty at seven o’clock
Tired, discouraged, just ready to drop,
But called back on a “Special” at seven fifteen
With woe in her heart, but it must not be seen,
Morning and evening, noon and night,
Just doing it over, hoping its right,
When we lay down our caps and cross the bar,
O, Lord, will you give us just one little star
To wear in our crown, with the uniform new,
In that city above where the Head Nurse is You?