Tender Mercies, Gentle Touch Poem by David Whalen

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Little kids, needles, scary places
Doctors, nurses, with smiling faces
Strange bed, strange sound
Spooky environs all around

Pokes and prods, pink flowered gown
Tender mercies, gentle touch
Thank goodness mom is stickin’ round
Else this scary place would be waaay too much!

Toy placed in tiny hand
Gatorade given to drink
Young minds come to understand
This is not so bad! (ya’ think?)

Soon the aches and nose so stuffy
Give way to the nurses loving care
Eyes once teary, red and puffy
Sparkle anew and shine so fair

They leave with smiles on timid faces
All better now! No longer sick!
Soothed by nurses caring graces
That helped make the time pass so quick

R, N.’s and Docs: such busy people!
Yet they take the time and give so much
And the most precious gift from these busy people?
Open hearts, acts of caring kindness
…Tender mercies, Gentle touch…


Dedicated to all caregivers
But especially the great people at
Pediatrics E.R. U.M.C Las Vegas Nevada

By David Whalen