They do the extraordinary twenty-four – seven,
hiding the tools of their trade behind spring-loaded wooden panels.
Gone is the pressurised oxygen tank and the drip of drugs.
Behind bright candy-striped outfits,
name badges, and a relaxed attitude to dogs and children,
they mask the grim reality.
But most extraordinary of all,
they have found a way to smother pain,
hide the person – until a smell of something familiar escapes.
Love it, but get rid of the cliched S2L3 and S3L1. Perhaps ‘they have found a way to hide the pain/until a smell….’?
Authenticity rings loud and clear throughout this poem. Vivid images and I love ‘do the extraordinary’ in the first line. I agree with Martin that the poem would be even stronger without ‘they mask the grim reality // But most extraordinary of all’.
Really powerful… great stuff.
Great, gritty stuff Sarah.