In the trenches with the NHS

Fast they stood until they fell    
an army with no guns; just war  
the mile of all compassion seen    
the tired smiles, the often tear    
   
Smothered in a safety shell    
the Hyppocratic Oath they swore    
the battle rage with foe unseen    
for in that work they are THE team    
   
For all they did "for the sick, the ill. the frail"    
the day the month how long the chore    
 for each roll upon deaths drum    
 some survive and some succumb    
   
That the enemy can be curtailed    
the fight be won and health restored    
and battle through in that great storm    
 soldiers of true valour, in a caring uniform

Just surrogates of family ties
the longest day, interminable night
but how many, did Covid compromise
just to man the front was their demise