It started with milk!
Nursing is hard enough,
especially without supplies.
A simple carton of milk
won't determine if one dies.
But one by one,
things are no longer stocked.
"We can't afford it" says management
as our requests are mocked.
Broken equipment
yields safety concerns
yet replacements few and far
as each year turns.
Seeing more bugs,
more mice and more critters?
The exterminator quit,
past due balance gave him the jitters.
We have no pillows and only 300 sheets.
By the way...that is for the whole week.
Can't pay for updates
so computers are slow.
The security car is broken
and in need of a tow.
Wind blew down a radio tower,
now paramedics calling
sound like they're in the shower.
The morgue cooler quit
so...that can't be good.
Put the undertaker in a bad mood,
as it should.
Cafeteria is overwhelmed,
can't stay open all day.
Each worker does three jobs
but of course for same pay.
No phlebotomists needed,
you can all go.
Nurses can draw the blood
...and the line we tow.
COVID came along,
made everything great.
Very expensive staff
was sent by the state.
Unfortunately now some regulars had to leave.
They called it a "furlow,"
or "employment reprieve."
So they cut back on staff,
we call it "skeleton crew."
But it's okay, lunch is rarely eaten,
too much to do.
Don't get me wrong,
it's not Wadley's fault.
We've been here a long time,
never much money in the vault.
The CEO of Steward
is who you should look up.
See his new yacht? What a lucky duck!
He bought lots of hospitals
to carry the Steward name.
Ran them to the ground
never taking any blame.
Now here we are
a community lost.
Good doctors, nurses and clinics gone,
patients to pay the cost.
Not everyone around
is a Christus fan,
but now we have no choice
thanks to a very rich man!
Angela Zdonczyk
Texarkana, Texas