the night before Christmas

t'was the night before christmas, when all through the ward
all the interns were stirring, but there was no mouse.
the suction catheters were hung by the suction machine with care,
in hopes that all the endotracheal tubes soon would be clear.

some children were nestled, all snug, in their beds
while some of the kids had fever in their heads
four Mama's ambubagging and three interns monitoring
had just settled their bodies for a night without a nap.

When from the last bed on the third row there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the second row of beds to see what was the matter
towards the frantic mom and child i flew like a flash
took out my stethoscope, listened, and then made a dash.

The stethoscope was brought to the breast of the child
while we tried to take the BP and pulses above and below
when, what to our wondering ears should befall
not a heartbeat was pounding, not a pulse could be known

Our residents were there, so lively, so brisk
and i knew in a moment, we had to intubate quick
more rapid than eagles, the other interns came
and we shouted and ordered and called for things in turn:

"Now bag mask! Now O2!
Now hypervetilate and lower the head!
On suction! on pulse oximeter!
On And on check for pulse.
intubate patient now and suction again.
start chest compressions!
Push one amp epinephrine!"

as dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
the nurses and interns were working and everybody tried
to try to get the heart beating though we knew
that the night was going to end badly and there was nothing more to do.

So our resident went to the folks to explain the truth
that the child was no longer breathing and her heart had stopped too.
as i lowered my head and was turning around
i could hear the mother keening, it was a lonely sound.

The child was covered with a sheet from the head to her foot
and her body was cleared of all wires and tubes
the folks were all bent with sorrow heavy on their backs
and they looked so forlorn, they could not have their daughter back.

Their eyes -- how they twinked with tears running forth!
Their cheeks were like roses -- how grief brought them nought!
They gritted their teeth, and held tight to each other
and the voices they lifted were harsh and grief-laden
unbelief in their faces, unbelief in their eyes
gave them the picture of animals in fright

we spoke not a word, but went back to our work
all silent with our own thoughts, trying not to be a jerk
not trying to think that tonight of all nights
a daughter expired, a sister, a child.

So forgive me if i did not greet you that night
We were so toxic, we were so tired.
But i hope you had a meaningful Christmas, just as we did
And would always remember, life is precious, you are blessed.
Be thankful you are alive and with family, though gifts may be scarce
We have already received the Gift beyond price.
And so i returned to the manger that night,
Remembered that the Christ-child didn't even have a room as his right
He lived and he gave and He died for us all
So we need not despair when Death comes to call.
We just have to believe and accept Him, that's all.

I really hope you all had a happy Christmas and a good night. :)