The Beginning

i wash the blood
off my hands

rinse the spatter
from my face

scrub the clots
from my shoes

after receiving thanks

congratulations for
saving a mans life

now it
sinks in

i didn’t think about myself
didn’t hesitate

didn’t pause to don
gloves mask face shield

reached out instinctively
applied pressure to spurting wound

stopped life from flowing
onto the floor

realizing now

i have been exposed
to a disease that could kill me

the injured mans emergency is over
mine is just beginning

(C) 2022 Raibeart Bruis