PANDEMICPOETRY

EILEENALLISON

The world is not as beautiful without poetry.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Turn2us

Volume 1 & 2A collection of poetry

both old and new

EILEEN ALLISON

I started my Nurse training back in 1988 when my own Dad was very ill in hospital.

Sadly he did not live to see me qualify but I know that he would be very proud of me. I feel a natural empathy towards the people in my care and this has been the case throughout my nursing career. I worked in the Acute sector both at Bromley and then at Tunbridge Wells working my way up to Ward Manager level. My most recent post was on an Elderly Care Ward and this is where I developed my passion for care of the elderly, the dying and those with dementia. Whilst on this ward I wrote my first poem “I can’t find my handbag!” as an educational tool for my team. I wanted them to truly empathise with their patients. This poem seemed to have quite a profound effect on those that read it. When I decided to leave the NHS I wrote another called “Our Old Girl” which many of my staff could relate to. I came to Halliwell as the Clinical Care Manager 5 years ago and thoroughly love the Home, the team and the residents. The care that we provide is exceptional and the values that we uphold are those that I have followed throughout my career. Taking over as the General Manager last year was a real highlight in my nursing career but little did I know what was in store for 2020. The situation with the Covid-19 Pandemic naturally pushed me to write some poetry again. At times there has been a real feeling of hopelessness and sometimes a little bit of escapism or reminiscence, in the form of poetry, can be uplifting. When our lockdown started I promised the residents that I would write one every week which they have delivered to their rooms with an update from me on the current situation in the Home. I have had lovely feedback from them and one lady is collecting them all ready for the Poetry Group when they are able to meet up again.

Following the success of Volume 1 published earlier in 2020, this edition combines those

poems and a collection of new poems.

A FOUR LEGGED FRIEND

What would we doWithout Man’s best friend?A shiny, wet noseA tail wagging at the end

A part of the familyEven though they can’t talkBecause all they really wantIs a cuddle and a walk

We all have a favouriteDachshund, Pekinese?Old English SheepdogOr a Bichon Frise?

Some are so cleverHelp the sick or the blindA more loyal supporterYou could never find

Some are just crazyAnd chew everythingBut they get forgivenFor the joy that they bring

Maybe you’re not keenThere’s only one answer to thatAdmire from a distanceAnd get yourself a cat!

ALL AT SEA

How I would love to flee to the oceanThe waves and the salty airWould take me back to the good timesI spent with my family there

Sandcastles, picnics and tennisFrom morning through to nightThe golden, sweeping sand dunesWere a favourite sight

The gulls overheadSoar above the shipsKeeping a watchful eyeReady to steal some chips

Sun cream and flip flopsAnd a big floppy hatA little bit of sunburnBut we didn’t mind that!

Take me back to the big blue oceanLet me gaze far out to seaFor I will always rememberThose days with my family

ANGELS

They are working amongst us Right here on EarthYou can’t see their wingsAnd they don’t know their worth

When the going gets toughThey are patient and strongThey make it their businessTo find out what’s wrong

A nice cup of teaA laugh or a chatThat feeling of comfortWho doesn’t like that?

They continue to smileWhen hearts are breakingAgain unawareOf the difference they’re making

So who are these peopleAre they everywhere?No, they are here at HalliwellProviding your care

INVISIBLE FOE

It feels a little like warAgainst an invisible foeWe know that it might lingerBut eventually will go

If we all do the right thingWash our hands all the timeFor at least twenty secondsWe will all be just fine

Life will continueSong birds will singThe sun will still riseIf we do the right thing

Here at HalliwellOur oasis of calmWe will love and protect youAnd keep you from harm

Our team are amazingAnd go the extra mileOur priority is all of youAnd making you smile

So focus on good thingsPositivity and hopeKindness and compassionAnd plenty of soap!

ROUND THE GARDEN

I took a stroll down the sloping pathAnd I started to exploreThe mysteries of the gardenThe aroma, the sights and more

The daffodils still standingTheir trumpet heads so proudI’m sure I even imaginedTheir rousing tune out loud!

Attracted by the feedersSome Blue Tits had a snackThey filled their little beaksAnd soon came back!

Bigger birds I also sawWoodpecker, thrush and crowAll of them were singingThey put on quite a show

The feeling of contentmentReally overwhelmed meThe sun shining on my faceA good dose of Vitamin D!

Lastly I checked on the fishThe pond was cool and clearI really must rememberI love it so out here!

SWEET NOSTALGIA

One of my favourite memories:A trip to the old sweet shopI really was quite partialTo a toffee or lemon drop

Clutching my pocket moneyI’d run all the way thereThe smell of strawberry bonbonsHanging in the air

I climbed on the chairWhat an amazing sight!Shrimps, bananas, sugar miceFruit Salads, Turkish Delight

The shopkeeper, ever patientLet me take my time...Sweet peanuts, Cola CubesBlack Jacks or a Chocolate Lime?

He put them on the scalesWeighed them carefullyDropped them in the paper bagAnd took the pennies from me

A healthy balanced dietIs what we all should eatBut who could ever deny usThe pleasure of a sweet?

I CAN”T FIND MY HANDBAG

I can’t find my handbagOr my picture of BillMy room looks all foggySomeone said that I’m ill

I need to get homeAnd then I can settleBill will be waitingFor the whistle of the kettle

But when I get upThey always say sitI just need my handbagOh where did I put it?

A man came inA Dr, I thinkHe was kind and friendlyI gave him a wink

He said I’m forgetfulAt risk of a fallAnd need looking afterBut Bill does it all

I got up last nightTo answer the phoneI fell by the doorAnd felt all alone

They said I’m going to theatreI do like a showBut this pain in my hipMight mean I can’t go.

More faces todayAll staring at meNo handbag or BillI’m all at sea

I walked to the toiletIt took me so longThe nurse looked quite crossIt must have been wrong.

They made me wear slippersI wanted my shoes“porridge is good for you”But not what I’d choose

A vicar came inPerhaps I’m dyingHe said a nice prayerAnd left me crying

I can’t find my handbagAnd I’m leaving todayThe nurse came and hugged meI wish I could stay…

Written by Eileen Allison, 30/8/2012, previously Ward Manager of Ward 20, Tunbridge Wells Hospital which is an

Acute Elderly Care Ward. This was used as an educational tool for her

staff to raise awareness of dementia and change practice.

OUR OLD GIRL

She’s now in her 70sShe’s had a colourful lifeAnd has made it her businessCaring for the world and its wife

Back in the 40’sWhat a different placeTo the World of todayAnd it shows in her face

She had so much respectBut is it starting to fade?Now people mistreat herIn this stressful decade

She’s moved with the timesTried to innovate and excelBut people still beat herWhen it’s not gone so well

They say you don’t knowWhat you’ve got ‘till its goneAnd when that day comesMany people will mourn

So who is this ladyIs she wrinkled and grey?Are her ankles all swollenAt the end of the day?

She’s tired all the timeBut she doesn’t know howShort of breath on exertion‘cos her heart’s bigger now

She’s for full active treatmentThere’s no DNARBut if she made it to heavenShe’d be a big star

Her Doctors and NursesAre doing their bestThey don’t want to lose herShe’s their dear NHS

Written by Eileen Allison in March 2015 upon leaving the NHS after 24

years of service and moving on to new challenges in the Private Care

Home Sector.

SCHOOL DAZE

Do you remember the old school days?In the dim and distant pastWe certainly made some memoriesAnd some were set to last

The queue for school dinnerSnaking round the hallScared of the dinner ladiesIf we didn’t eat it all!

Sports Day was a favouriteSome could run so fastBut even in the Egg and Spoon raceI was always last!

Maths was not such funThe teacher really scaryShe was covered in chalkAnd her chin was really hairy

Museum trips were greatEspecially Natural HistoryBut how they stuffed that giant whaleWas really quite a mystery?

The School Hall smelt of polishThe floor had such a shineWe trooped in for assemblyAnd sat in a dead straight line

The best part of all, the friendshipsThey helped us all get through.But those hideous Spam FrittersI’ll never miss, will you?

BLUSHING BRIDE

The dress of her dreamsThe best day of her lifeA whole new chapterAs she became a wife

The flowers were perfectA mix of pink and blueShe wanted twenty bridesmaidsBut she settled for just two!

The guests were all assembledAwaiting her arrivalA calming glass of bubbyGuaranteed her survival

On her dear Father’s armShe walked down the aisleTears were trying to winBut she beat them with a smile

When she saw her true loveShe had no doubt in her mindThis wonderful manWas such a good find

The pageboy was so cuteThreatened to steal the showBut where that ring got to?Guess we’ll never know

Weddings can be stressfulBut the memories are greatJust don’t be like my husbandAnd always forget the date!

Eileen Allison28/05/2020

COOL BRITANNIA

From John O’GroatsRight down to Lands EndLie the precious islesWe once had to defend

Our great nation has grownMore diverse than everFolk from all over the worldLive and work together

We still have our quirksSuch as the great Sunday roastCreating the best crispy potatoesYou will hear the chefs boast!

Scotland has the haggisThe pasty is famous down westBut the full English Cream teaIs arguably the best

We love our sportAnd the thrill of the crowdThe players performAnd make us all proud

Recent times have tested us But Key Workers have helped us alongIn the fight against this virusWe have all had to be strong

Hold fast and have faithNever lose those smilesAnd always be proud ofOur Great British Isles!

GONE FISHING

A leisurely stroll by the riverSpecial time with my DadRods and picnic on boardWhat a fabulous time we had!

The fish were, as ever, elusiveBut did venture out for a flyMy casting was not quite so expertHowever hard I did try

Dad caught a few troutAs I watched in aweHe put them back gentlyAnd let them swim some more

The peace of the countrysideWas so sublimeThe true definitionOf quality time

We tucked into our picnicAs we watched rabbits playAnd saw the most beautiful sunsetTo top off our day

If life were always so simpleThis would be my wish:Another day with my lovely DadWith or without fish!

GREAT GRANDMA

A very special ladyShe’s been around a whileHer use of mobile phonesIs bound to make you smile

She’s the head of the familyAnd her eyes still twinkleBut it’s not just her stockingsThat are starting to wrinkle

She’s partial to a sherrySometimes two or three!But no-one is countingIt’s between you and me!

Plain food is her favouriteJust don’t give her spiceShe’d rather have soupAs that’s jolly nice!

When it comes to technologyDon’t bother with WIFIShe only just acceptedWhat you mean by a HIFI!

She can’t cope with IPadsBecause back in her dayThey were to soothe your eyeballsAfter a very hard day!

She’s proud of her familyThey all love her to piecesChildren, Grand-children, Nephews and Nieces

She’s nearly a hundredWhich is quite a featShe’s definitely readyFor a right Royal treat!

HOME OR AWAY

I like to sit and ponderOn the travels I have hadThe memories of these placesCan lift me when I’m sad

The thought of sandy beachesOr exotic foreign foodLooking at souvenirsCan really lift the mood

Once I went to IndiaI won’t forget the heatThe trip around the Taj MahalAnd tired, dusty feet

A honeymoon in ThailandThe people were so kindA stunning beach apartmentSuch a lucky find

California seemed so bigWith skies of azure blueBut the essential trip to DisneyResulted mainly in a queue!

Our trips don’t have to be abroadThe UK has gems tooCornwall, Cotswolds, Yorkshire dalesTo name but a few

If you’re not quite up to travelDon’t worry you’re not aloneJust put your weary feet upAnd enjoy a break at Home!

LOCKDOWN LIFE

They closed the world downIt became a small placeSo we battened down the hatchesAnd put on a brave face

The virus was spreadingThe risk was so highCould we protect everyone?Dear God, we would try

PPE became famousIt was like a buzz word“There just isn’t enough”Was so often heard

What the media missedWas the fire in our heartWe knew how to fight thisCare Homes can be smart

An extension to our familyOur residents came firstMy team respondedAnd my heart nearly burst

Weeks became monthsWe continued the fightAnd had to believeThe end was in sight

As the virus begins to fadeAnd the lockdown starts to liftWe’re reminded that family visitsAre our most special gift

WHATEVER THE WEATHER

One sure thing about BritainWe love to talk about the weatherAnd how our four seasonsOften come along together!

If it’s raining we want sunWhen it’s dry we want showers!And the usual response is“It’s good for the flowers!”

It can rain cats and dogsFor days on endThose dark, looming cloudsSend one round the bend!

But once the sun is outThere is no better placeThose lovely warm raysFeel so good on your face

Snow drifts can appearOften over nightThat fresh white blanketIs a beautiful sight

It’s best to be preparedWellies, sun cream and a hatAnd don’t forget the brolly!I think we’ve all done that…

WHO NEEDS LOVE?

It comes in different formsAny shape or sizeBut to find your own true loveIs the greatest prize

You can not live without itYou could really fall apartWithout the true magicOf your own sweetheart

When you think you’ve found itNever let it goBut don’t hold it too tightlyYou must let it grow

It will test you at timesMaybe drive you slightly madBut know that if you lose itIt’s the worst kind of sad

Loves comes from all around usFrom family and from friendsBut the best thing of allTrue love never ends

Don’t take it for grantedBe thankful every dayShow them that you love themAnd it won’t go away

Lastly, please rememberTo also love yourselfIt makes the world a brighter placeAnd boosts your mental health!

Elizabeth Finn Homes Ltd. Hythe House 200 Shepherds Bush Road, London W6 7NL

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Turn2us

Eileen Allison is the General Manager at Halliwell. She wrote these poems between March and May 2020. They represent thoughts, memories, dreams and aspirations whilst being in this most-unusual situation of enforced lockdown.

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