Deirdre Neilen, PhD: Bryana Barreto worked in EMS for seven years
before starting medical school in 2022. Her poem "Thank You for Your Service" asks us to think more deeply than just giving a quick shout-out to health care workers who are as exhausted by this pandemic as we are.
Thank you for your service
For everything you do
Thank you for fighting the fight
We would have never made it through
Thank you for your service
That's what they say
We smile, nod
As they go on another day
But the looming weight remains
Bottling everything inside
Move on and keep going
An inner contract we abide
No time to stop
No time to pause
Another goes home to their family
We line up, give an applause
But the looming weight remains
It never gets lighter
Can't put this burden on my family
My chest fills, gets tighter
Seeing friends, colleagues, slowly splinter
Burning out, quitting
Never thought it would get this bad
Our hearts keep splitting
But the looming weight remains
I'll just push on through
Keep reminding myself, I love this profession
Or at least, I think I still do
Hold on to the wins
Remember those lost
I will persevere
Until I exhaust
Two years and counting
When will this fight end
Don't know how long I can continue smiling
Don't know how much longer I can pretend
Thank you for your service
That is what they say
We smile, nod
As they go on another day
