2017 Contest
City University of New York / Labor Arts
Christina Huang SEIU/CIR resident physician at Montefiore Hospital, Belinda Gallegos, 2001
Scrubs must be clean
Even though Mrs. Henry in 234 just vomited all over you
And Steve is hollering about how the remote won’t work
Hour 12
Your favorite patient just died
And you’re trying desperately not to cry
Your favorite doctor just called you an imbecile
And Mr. Williams just shit himself for the 3rd time today
Don’t you dare cry
You have not gone on break
Or eaten anything at all today
And Steve is calling for you, again
Hour 18
No replacement for the night
And your kid is calling your phone for the 2nd time
You can’t own up to the “I’ll be late again tonight”
Throbbing feet, growling belly, and an unguilty guilty conscience.
Wipe the tear before someone sees.