Hear My Silent Call

I sit here on my hospital chair,
In front of me is my empty plate,
I see the nurse standing over there,
Why can’t she come and communicate?
I am so lonely just sitting here,
Waiting for what - I do not know,
If she’d come to talk, I think this fear
Deep inside of me might go.

For I am frightened of the night;
I am worried all and every day,
The demented around me fight
I hate the bad words they say.
If she’d come and talk, reassure,
Make me feel I’m not the same
I’m old and deaf and what is more
Annie is not my favourite name!

I've been called May since I was small;
Oh that nurse looks so stern, is very tall,
She takes my plate, doesn’t see me at all.
Talk to me, look at me, hear my silent call.
I sit here on my hospital chair,
In front of me a bowl’s on the table,
Nightdress near, soap, a comb for my hair,
but I can’t reach up, for I’m not able;

Can’t you see my need? Do I have to ask?
Help me please for I need you to care,
don’t just see me as another nursing task.
I’m naked, you’re flitting here and there.
No towel to cover, to all my old body I reveal.
I look at the stains I made last night in bed.
The nurse, a look in her eyes she can’t conceal,
Is she thinking of her own old age with dread?

Look at me, talk to me, I can then you reassure,
It’s not all bad, I still know how to laugh,
I’ve known love, had a life, lived through a war;
You flannel me, Oh how I would have loved a bath.
Your hands, caring, gentle, put me in the chair,
A patient screams at you, abuses with a curse,
You look into my eyes and for a moment we share
An understanding; you're not bad, just a busy nurse.

I sit here once more in my hospital chair,
I have cleared everything from my plate,
I see the nurse standing over there,
I nod to her, for in this speechless state
This stroke's left me in, she calls it a CVA.
I can’t speak but with her smile I’m blessed,
She comes over, takes the tray, leans close says
“Would you like to lie down and have a rest?”

I nod again for it will keep her near,
Although I am in pain and really do hate
that hoist, that sling, that feeling of fear
As I dangle in such an undignified, sorry state.
If only they had seen me when I was well.
They used to say that I was quite a beauty,
The nurse is friendly, chatting, pats me to tell
“Well done, Annie!” leaves, she’s done her duty,

Annie! I’ve been called May since I was small,
I’m not stupid, just old, deaf and had a fall.
She turns, goes, I want to shout out to all
Please stay and talk to me, hear my silent call!