Florence Nightingale Poem by Martin Ward

Florence Nightingale

I saw an angel,
illuminated by light.
She walked amongst us
in the dark of the night.
Beacon of hope
in the horror of war;
ray of compassion,
never witnessed before.
Where heroes died
for the lack of care,
this angel strode in
where no one dared.

Born in the Italian
city of flowers:
Derbyshire blossom,
claimed as ours.
Maid of the Dales;
harbinger of change:
a life of compassion;
considered strange.
She flew in the faces
of the old brigade,
who showed no regard
for the changes she made.

The wounded loved her
like a sister or mother,
and the nursing she gave
helped so many recover.
Inspired by the Thomas':
The Apostle and Becket,
she moved on from battle,
bed-pan and bucket.
With a faith that right
shall withstand in the end,
Florence witnessed her work
bloom and extend.

This wonderful woman
laid a foundation
of care and compassion,
for the health of our nation.