Knowing

I remember it like it was yesterday
10 AM, and I didnʼt know my way
It was my first time and my heart was racing
I entered the room where everyone was pacing

I quickly realized that I wasnʼt alone
the room was packed, there were people on the phone
But maybe it would be better if there werenʼt so many
Cause now theyʼll all know that Iʼm not worth a penny

I donʼt know what Iʼm doing. Have I learned anything?
I hope so ʻcause here comes the patient and Iʼm on the left wing
Heʼs moved to the bed, and that is when I see
True Fear, its in this boy, now Iʼm glad that Iʼm me

Then it all begins the shifting the clatter
Saving this young manʼs life is all that matters
But is that all I ask as I look in his eyes
Heʼs scared not knowing whether he lives or dies

And thatʼs when those words came so loud and clear
“Am I going to be okay?” He had let out his fear
Knowing is what really mattered to him
What was happening ?, was his future bright or dim

Truth is, the small stab wound to his back
was not life threatening, just a small pneumothorax
So we continued our work and started to place,
a chest tube on the left, now the fear increased in his face

And thatʼs when two people came to his side
Trauma nurse 1 and 2 were there if he cried
They gave him their hands and told him to squeeze
Their other hands were placed softly above his knees

I even remember when their foreheads touched
It was almost as if this boy was never loved so much
He now knew that he would be okay
His fears had fallen like the sun at the end of day

Physically everything was performed just right
And as important, he now knew his future was bright
Iʼll never forget that very first time
A teenage boy too young for such a crime

He taught me what matters and what he wanted to hear
It was anything, anything that could wash away his fear
So never forget what things really matter
And before all the chaos and all of the clatter

Talk to them softly, and let them know
Youʼre there and youʼll help them, you wonʼt let them go

- W. Austin Smith, 2012