the haunting fifty fives

dusk arising



 

These were days which would never leave him.
The desire to walk away, to disappear was strong
but stronger still his sense of duty in the face of this.
All around is death, endless death and fear
day after day one continuous heartache
from his duty - placing dead bodies into bags.
Then transporting them to waiting fridge trucks.
Fifty five, he'd count them fifty five dead people
to each truck, and empty trucks queuing for more.
This was no war zone. This is Central Park in May
New York's temporary covid 19 field hospital.
Macabre memories he knew would haunt his future.

                                                                 ......if he survives.

  • Author: dusk arising (Offline Offline)
  • Published: June 1st, 2020 05:59
  • Comment from author about the poem: I was touched by U.K. television news feature about corvid 19 health workers in New York USA. Plain speaking from the people at the sharp end of this pandemic, their experiences, loss of friends, colleagues and loved ones. It brought home the humanity of each circumstance.
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 24
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Comments5

  • Neville


    pertinently penned and poignantly put

    the verdana bold font rams home the message too sir..

    Neville

    • dusk arising

      Tahoma! Many people doing incredible things and being taken for granted..... and no campaign medals will be raised for those doing inglorious tasks. Thanks for reading and commenting.

    • Fay Slimm.

      An account to store and remember - heroes are all around now and in need of our tributes. A heart-rending read D.A,

      • dusk arising

        Even a big bad place has it's soft underbelly and toiling saints.

      • orchidee

        A sensitive write dusk.

        • dusk arising

          Wipe that tear away and .... have u sent that cheque to branson yet?

          • orchidee

            Oh yes, I sent him some Branson some dough. I shall be poor for the next 50 years now, but it's only fair I should pay him!

          • ron parrish aka wordman

            we never know what may fall on us,a clear message that you have penned

            • dusk arising

              The great unseen body of folk doing their thankless tasks with humility are just as deserving of accolade as the surgeon.

            • Goldfinch60

              Such a moving write d a, so many losing their lives and so many people having to deal with the deaths.

              Andy

              • dusk arising

                And we witness the side show of whingeing twerps ignoring lockdown and bickering over political issues.



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