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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl7CITge_5A&ab_channel=ClassicMoodExperience

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What a strange job.

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“Unless you are at serious risk”

“Of fatality”

“I cannot”

“Let you skip the line.”

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I’m not a nurse, I’m a trumped up number counter -

A customer service representative,

Keeper of emergency’s que.

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“It doesn’t matter who you are ma’am,”

“It’s first come first served.”

"You're going to have to wait like everyone else."

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There’s a pretty raw side of people that you get to see,

The drunk side, the wild

And chaotic side, the wounded side, the side

That has to wait in lines.

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“Let me see it?”

“Yup, that’s …”

“You’re going to be fine.”

“When it bleeds through" 

"Swap the paper towel out.”

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“Sit tight.”

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I think it’s true,

You never really get to understand the full scope of a human being

Until you watch them publicly navigate grief, pain,

Anger and impatience, 

Until you see how they handle themselves under pressure.

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“Ma’am, you cannot swear at the staff in the lobby.”

“What will happen”

“Is that security will have to escort you out”

“And your daughter will wait in line here, alone.”

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How bizarre. My second week in

And it already beads off my back

Like water off of a duck.

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“I can’t answer that question sir,”

“I’m not a physician.”

“If I did it would leave me liable.”

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“Not much longer.”

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“I appreciate your patience.”

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“You’re early, that’s all that means.”

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“This isn’t a hotel, brother,”

“We don’t have any ice.”

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There are sides to this I haven't even seen yet, 

Only just barely overheard:

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An EMT hugging a stranger;

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The bowed shoulders of a skinny nurse, tattooed wrist,

Kneading his eyes 

After walking a family to their car

From out of the HAU;

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The trembling mum, being interviewed by the RCMP;

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The teary eyed woman, telling me

That she thinks she's having congestive heart failure;

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The red faced man, gasping, who clearly might be.

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What a strange job.

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I guess I'll run it back tonight.

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