THE TALE OF SOPHIA, THE STRONG

 

                             

                                ( I )

 

      A stalwart figure tall with manly gait

     With frizzled, brown hair hanging down

     A marching figure with perpetual frown;

     Her dominant looks stern and straight

     Her broad visage not red like diamond mine

     But threatening like burning coal doth shine;

     Though she speaks little, her looks are keen

     She grasps patient’s feelings and pain unseen.

                                    ( I I )

    Her name struck fear in patients’ hearts

    Her words touched them like winged darts;

   And yet her nursing skills impressed a lot

    Though she looked grim, too well she played her part.

    Too punctual is she and hoped the same from others

    In spotless white, she moved with smart, quick pace

   She curbed patients too, in disciplined ways;

   She treated well poor ailing kids and mothers; 

                               ( I I I )

   Her name, Sophia, a wise but stern nature she had.

   When patients cribbed about not getting sleep

   Her thunderous shouts drove them to slumber deep

   She never showed her feelings to make them glad

   If anyone from her any help did seek

   Her looks enough, made them mute and meek;

   She did not like to make patients feel weak

   She never let them chat and loudly speak.

                               ( I V )

   She snubbed them a lot in a bantering style

  “You drink yourself to reach the gates of hell

   Stop writhing in pain”, she used to yell.

   ‘Your lecherous ways spoiled you, creature vile!

   To struggle with filthy diseases dire;

   You cry now wriggling like worms in fire”

   She made them see their sins, she spoke harsh and hard

   And yet she treated all with care in her ward. 

                                      ( V )

   Though Sophia struck terror in patients’ eyes

   And galled them with her stern looks spouting fire

   A noble intention lurks behind her ire;

   She chastened their minds with warnings wise;

   No drunkard dared to look at her again

   No womanizer dared to face her disdain;

   Sophia, loved them all despite her dare-devil face

   A dutiful nurse who saved them from wretched ways.

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          19th June, 2021                      Somaseshu Gutala

Note : Many of us may have the experience of meeting serious and sombre medical staff who do not like to entertain us with talk. Yet we are impressed by their sincere and dedicated services, their correct prescription and proper diagnosis. We always remember their valuable advice and their help in our lives.  

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