Best Stretcher Poems
I've read many accounts on that horrific war that was WWI ,it was supposed to end all wars.
It was trench warfare and men fought and died in hellish conditions.
It inspired me to write this fictional verse.
The posters said come fight with us and make your country proud
Went to town my friends and I to sign on the dotted line
I remember the scenes in town, the cheering of the crowd
They said t'will soon be over and everything will be fine.
Naive were we and believed them and everything they said
Some basic training they gave us on how to use a gun
It did not help my friends though because now they all lie dead
To us this was a big adventure, just a bit of fun.
I was assigned to B squad, trench number forty seven
And had to stand in mud so deep it came up to my knees
Soldiers had put up a sign that said ' shortcut to heaven '
After a while my skin was itching someone said it's flea's .
Night time bombardments were the worst and my ears were ringing
Often they'd strike lucky and parts of the trench would disappear
We'd try to drown out the roars with patriotic singing
In the eyes of the boys I was with you could see their fear.
Everyday bodies were brought out and placed upon a cart
As the stretcher bearers passed we'd think thank god that's not me
A gruesome sight I witnessed were those bodies blown apart
I could not help but think that from hell those souls were free .
In November ninteen eighteen the war was finally over
We cried with tears of joy, we were finally going home
After a few hours I saw them, the white cliffs of Dover
Tears rolled down my face and I vowed never again to roam.
Home for me was a struggle and it didn't seem quite real
At night I'd have bad nightmares' and I would wake up screaming
Often I'd wonder if my mental scars would ever heal
My mother she'd rush in and say " son you're only dreaming ".
It's been ten years now and the wars still raging in my head
And I often ask myself how ever did I survive
Nine friends I lost in that war and now they're forever dead
Wars are a game of chance, whether you die or stay alive.
Written 30th September 2019.
'Twas the night before Christmas and it started to snow
Santa Claus was getting ready to go, ho ho ho
To keep himself warm he drank Scotch whiskey from a keg
Then walked to get Rudolph, slipped on ice and broke a leg.
The elves rushed over and put Santa on a stretcher
He told the head elf, Mrs Claus you'd better fetch her
She came out of the house with a big smirk on her face
Santa said" the jokes on you, you'll have to take my place".
She started to protest saying " I don’t know the way"
Santa said "Rudolph does, you just sit back in the sleigh
When you get to the rooftops just slide down the chimney
Drop off the kids presents and put them under the tree".
Things went so well and all the presents got delivered
But temperatures were dropping and Mrs Claus shivered
She made it back to Lapland quite late on Christmas day
Santa was there to greet her and he had this to say.
"All the children of the world today are full of glee
Woke up this morning to find presents under their tree
If it was not for you children would have been so sad
That you stood in for me makes me feel proud and glad".
"A big roaring log fire I've prepared just for you"
Told the elves' to get her in cos she was turning blue
Said "first take her to the kitchen it's nice and warm there
She can start cooking dinner and other Christmas fayre".
Written 22nd November 2019
For The Night Before 2 Poetry Contest.
Sponsored By Joseph May.
I was a soldier of the past
And I know im not the last
I signed up to serve my Queen
Far off lands I have seen
As that soldier I done my best
Losing friends laying them to rest
We fought for what was only right
Giving freedom to others at night
As bullets flew and bombs exploded
My thoughts and mind just imploded
I could not say I wasn't scared
But my vision was not impaired
The smell of cordite all around
Waiting for the alarm to sound
Then the order of stand fast
Hoping this attack would not last
They come at us with all they have
Rpgs and a Gustav
We hold firm and do not falter
It's not our turn at the alter
Be brave young man I have to shout
As the young man does scream out
I've been hit this is bad
I wish I was with my mum and dad
It's ok you will be fine
It's a promise that is mine
The bombardment ends and we look up
Let's sort this out my young pup
Gingerly we give first aid
That is why we get paid
We stretcher him out to the heli pad
In a few days he's with mum and dad
After a while I go to see
That young soldier who layed before me
He's up and about and full of cheer
Winks at me we go for a beer
For those guys that didn't survive
We raise a glass cuddle and cry
For all the new guys on your career
Wish you well I got your ear.
"I'm bleeding
do you think you can patch me up?
oh the ceiling is
starting to spin around
and around and
this feeling
my arms are tingling
hating and seething
i think that i am
panicking!
Attack an Attack
my body turns on me
i can't react
the world is falling all around me
An attack an Attack
my face is numb
soon i'll hit the ground
and no one's going to save
me any how.
Breathing is shallow
much like a wave
put me on a stretcher
and carry me so far away
the thoughts in my head
are starting to race
my body is seizing
i think i'm panicking...
Attack an Attack
my body turns on me
i can't react
this world is falling
all around me
An attack an Attack
my face is going numb
soon i'll hit the ground
cuz no one's here to
save me any how.
Panic attack
an attack an attack
panic attack
panic
attack!"
I was there
On my way to Laflin when the 55th and Garfield bus slowed down.
He should have been passed out from excitement like other 10 year olds playing
football in vacant lots,basketball in streets, and baseball with wooden sticks.
Instead on his way to gas station
collar bone caught bullet like a bleeding brown mitt.
He never made it to first base safe, he never made it home.
I sat there in blue and black CTA seats
and I wished he was struck by a
be-be, paint ball, or tranquilizer gun
but no they simply snatched back cocked metal and released.
He lied there surrounded
face had grazed grass
and when his mother saw him she wished she could resist what purples saw.
cross-fire whiplash
punctured neck
with a certificate to prove his end.
She pawed at his white outline
pleading he would breath life, but when i didn't she wept.
I was restricted to step off bus and on to pavement,
so i had to let my eyes listen
to how blue lights and smudged tears didn't compliment the tragedy.
I mean I was stuck to scene because of the caution tape
and the ambulance
and the way his stretcher jumped as he was being taken to the morgue.
Pedestrians though it was over until they fled like that little boys mother when she
heard her sons blood had been scrambled on the boulevard.
Police mans knees blasted to chest as they chased for blocks ones who failed to
follow: THOU SHALL NOT KILL!
I kept riding past Halsted then on to Racine finally came to Laflin stepped off bus,
looked at the bullet whole in the street sign then asked
what is the purpose of you holding hand high and think u have the right to kill.
Rebecca Johnson
Courage is running into an imploding
Twin Tower with a stretcher
When most are running out
Courage is deciding to confront terrorists
When you know you will die
But you know if you do not others will die
Courage is watching your child
Slowly die of cancer,
While holding them gently, singing
Courage is going to work every day
Where the corona virus lurks
Taking care of those who have it
Courage is standing up for what is right
For sharing your truth
Even if it means you might die for it
“What’s going on, what’s next?”
(Medi-Vac on the way, keep pumping!)
A faint roar and whop-whop-whop-whop
(No not there! The south-bound lane! Over...)
The median grass was newly cut but still tall
(Lean over him so the grass won’t get in his face!)
The chopper landed about 30 feet from my car
50 yards behind, traffic backed up out of sight
A ramp dropped. Two men, another stretcher...
(Would you gentlemen mind giving us a hand?)
It took six of us to pick up it up...
The biker and me on opposite sides
The two medics, the two ambulance drivers.
(Sir, I need you to take my place back here
I’m having trouble holding up my end)
We slipped. We fell. The median was steep.
(It’s alright! It’s okay! Ready? Lift!)
We made it.
Back slapping and high-fives...
(Thanks fellas, couldn’t have done it without you)
I walked slowly back to the car and got in
A low-pitched whine, then louder, screaming
Whop-whop-whop---Violent wind, grass blowing
Tilting slightly, the Angel of Mercy soared
Smaller now, smaller. A black dot...Gone.
I wonder if he made it.
Stopped at a rest area on the way home
Washed dried blood off my hands
Splashed cold water on my face
Looked in the mirror...
She was waiting for me at the front door
I held her crumpled, bloody jacket in both hands
She looked into my eyes, calmly took it away
and dropped it in the washer...
As I wait for death amid the calm.
I see through the window all of you.
No one can see me and the hearing is dying.
Ring in the New Year and my limbs reach for the warm.
Help me make one last stand.
I love the rain and your food for thought.
I wait patient , youthful and my sap stretched.
I long for your cool breeze and like a dog I bark in warning.
And as the axe falls I shudder and am diminished.
That door slammed angrily and while I wait the rain washes me.
No longer do I feel my age, I see your reflection and your sadness.
And as I slowly die I am placed on the stretcher and I drink my last drop.
But as I lay quivering.
You bathe and place me at the door.
I am no longer naked as you dress me.
A light blinks on and the glitter and charm works.
The clothing is your finest saved by generations and my balls are hung.
Ah be careful, so careful my friends
be careful before you go getting involved
Isn’t it strange how we sometimes get swept up
swept and sucked into a life event by sheer chance?
After attending to the baby, I glanced to my right
and spotted something in the median grass
Closer now, my stomach churning again
A young Latino man laying on his side
breathing fast and shallow, obviously in shock
coughing up blood with little clumps in it...
A biker and his girlfriend had stopped
We called out to him, ”You okay? Hey, you okay?”
(Yeah sure guys, just thought I'd catch a few winks)
The next person to stop was an off-duty ER nurse
(Stay here with him while I check on the others
and whatever you do, DON’T try to move him!)
”Oh sh-t! I forgot, has anyone called 911 yet?”
(I called, said a man in an orange jump suit)
Rush hour traffic was starting to back up on both sides
I would guess at least twenty minutes had passed...
The young highway patrolman was calm and relaxed
“Is an ambulance coming?” He nodded and pointed...
At least a half mile away we saw the flashing lights
but the median bank was too steep to drive down
(You two are going to have to help me with the traffic
Divert everyone out of the left, northbound lane)
Absolute chaos...
Some drivers got confused and stopped
The biker and I started waving and shouting
which of course, only made matters worse
One grouchy old fart laid on his horn and cussed
(We flipped him a sign that had little to do with peace)
45 minutes and counting...
The ambulance had to park on the shoulder
Two sweating, rather nervous looking ladies
rushed to the back and pulled out a stretcher
(Would you two gentleman mind giving us a hand?)
They immediately escorted us to the young man,
took out a weird contraption with a tube and a bulb
and inserted the tube end down his throat into his stomach
(Find something to put under his head while you pump!)
“You got anything on your bike?” (Uh-uh, don’t think so)
My wife’s blue denim jacket was laying in the back seat
“Sh-t! I’m gonna RUIN the damn thing! Oh well...”
We took turns pumping. I kept turning my head away
(You okay bro?) “Just a little queasy” (Yeah, me too...)
A long neck giraffe,
I saw at the zoo.
And I wished my head
could be up high, too!
Daddy, I asked,
Why is my neck so small?
I want a giraffe's neck,
long and tall.
Then I could touch
the sky so blue,
just like the giraffe's
with his neck-tall view.
I need a neck stretcher.
Daddy, please get me one.
To be high up in the air,
would be so much fun!
Suddenly, Up! Up! Up!
I felt myself rise!
With my head in the clouds,
I was no longer kid sized.
Next to the giraffe,
I sat proud and tall.
My daddy's the best
neck stretcher of all.
"Dreamy Cadillacs"....COLOURFICATION
Decided one Sunday afternoon to indulge in something I love!
Being "Olde School" with an "e" and a Cadillac classic car buff.
I went to this show and was blown away by all the "Cads" I did see!
I'll describe some of them to you! Come take this journey with me!
The first to drop my jaw was a '50's turquoise El Dorado!
Just when I thought I'd seen it all there was a Brougham that was indigo!
By now I am reeling! These cars are quite the sight to be seen...
"Oh No!!!.... Are you kidding me?, that '60's Coupe De Ville is tangerine!"
Once again, I am in a daze by what just caught my sight...
a '77 Eldo Biarritz that is seashell and malachite!
Ok, I was in love and in Heaven and "OH WOW!"....don't you know,
there was a '68 Fleetwood De Ville that was platinum and fandango!
"Stick a fork in me! I'm done!", I said! I was ready to pack it in!
When I turned around, there it was!....Another Eldo that was aureolin!
"Ok get me a stretcher!"...I needed something to lie down on!
There was a '74 Cadillac hearse that was the beautiful color of fawn!
Now although this was not a classic, it was decked out and beautifully made-
the best for last at the end of this journey was a rosso corsa Escalade!
WTA-IV 3/12/2016
"Dreamy Cadillacs"
for COLOURFICATION Contest by Silent One
Turquoise, Indigo, Tangerine, Seashell, Malachite,
Platinum, Fandango, Aureolin, Fawn, Rosso Corsa
*With some of the truly eloquent winners already submitted,
this was a fun challenge*
Parading through tangled vines, dense brush
Green fatigues twining with emerald canopy so lush
A humid vapor drifts overhead; perspiration founts gush
Under foot decaying leaves and rotting vegetation mush
The eerie stillness on all sides made my adrenaline rush
We meandered through the jaded obstacle course
Search and destroy our tour de force
Stalking amorphous foe who cunningly uses every available
resource
Walking through the valley of death with little recourse
Seeking the beauty of nature from the artifice of war to divorce
Rustling leaves ahead put unit on full alert
Silhouettes flutter, then through the plush seams squirt
Enemy artillery moving into place and soldiers around our flanks
skirt
Without warning, enfilading fire from both sides did spurt
After momentary pause, I hit the dirt
Lieutenant screamed for the mortar unit
Crawling down an embankment; I dove into a pit
Head up, I fired at every moving figure in my orbit
I heard 'fire in the hole'; the rampart became a fiery spit
Springing from the fiery inferno, I felt a piercing pain; I had been hit
A surgeon was called to my side
Blood flowed from head gash so deep, wide
After a shot of morphine, a bandana was around my head tied
On a stretcher quickly thrown, and through the mayhem we plied
Smoke and fire all around; tossed to and fro on the bumpy ride
Into the clearing, we cautiously strode
Snipers greeted us with volley after volley; our pace slowed
The pick-up point posse, now in view, were in full alert mode
Earth-shattering fire from the helicopter team did the woods
explode
Serpentining to the helicopter, the rescue team with a daring lunge my stretcher did load
Vietnam: World of War contest
Stephen Parker
It was me and my uncle Buster
having dinner at Pearl's Lunchenette.
The sun was as high
as merange on the pie,
'twas a day that I shant soon forget.
Across from us sat old man Dauber,
addressing a man at his side,
describing a big Flathead Catfish
with his hands more than shoulder width wide.
Known as the town's story stretcher,
and an unending thirst for a beer,
he faced the man he was addressing,
but made sure all the others could hear.
In his story the battle was epic,
poorly hooked, broken pole, tattered line,
an angler's exceptional talent,
a fish in its muscular prime.
Buster looked over his coffee
I read the disgust in his eyes.
He called out to old man Dauber,
"Where'd you catch a catfish of that size?"
Happy to have a new listener,
Dauber grinned as he puffed out his chest,
"In that hole by the Rock Island Rail Road,
and a little bit more to the west."
"Good spot; know it well," agreed Buster.
"I've fished there myself quite a bit.
Once I hooked an old railroad lantern,
and be damned if it wasn't still lit!"
Dauber grimaced and sat back deflated.
Other patrons all grinned in delight.
Buster said, "Take a foot off the Catfish,
I'll be happy to blow out the light."
Beautiful flowers greeted the sun
as I watched the little children run
Inspired by the warmth of the day
I wrote the first lines along the way
Failing my test in Trigonometry
I wept under the shade of a tree
Realizing what made it wrong
I finished the first stanza and sang a song
Sailing paper boats along the river
People waited as the cold air made them quiver
I felt their hopes, dreams, and sorrows
I wrote the last lines full of morose
I saw an ambulance in front of our door
I felt my heart trembled in sore
They carried a stretcher...a body covered with white
I stared at those starry stars, and I, continued to write
Unquotable quotes: Nurses – XIX
A nurse well-dressed is a nurse well-thought of, even if she administers the coup de grace.
Prick a nurse and she’ll pamper you; pamper a nurse and she’ll prick you.
Displease a nurse and no doctor can save you.
Report a nurse’s malfeasance and you’ll find yourself on a stretcher at the morgue’s entrance. (This is from personal experience.)
A nurse a night can make a patient feel much better over-night –
since the bed is paid for already for the price.
Always address a nurse as “doctor”; she’ll not think you need a doctor.
Always make it a policy of hoarding the presents you receive on your hospital bed; the nurse will almost certainly help you lighten the load.
To relieve the back psychological itch, always ask the nurse to scratch your back facing you.
When the nurse is absent from the ward, so is the ward doctor.
Always ask the nurse how she spells her first and last names while pretending to write on a pad; you’re bound to raise her hopes about the contents of your last will and testament.
Always remove the ring on your third finger whenever a nurse enters your room.
In the presence of the nurse, always remark aloud how the nurse’s uniform fits her Brigitte Bardot form.
Never fail to attribute the low humming and buzzing sounds emanating from nurses around hospital beds to Maria Callas.
Whenever a nurse approaches your bed, just whistle: “Jeepers, Creepers, Where d’ya get those eyes?”
Must the percentage of patients dying in hospitals always stay the same when nurses go on strike?
Marry a nurse and become an eternal patient.
A nurse in need calls a Hemingway to arms.
A nurse in bed raises the Dead.
Nurse a nurse and you’ll always be fed…..up!
© T. Wignesan – Paris, 2016