She leans over
And kisses him gently on the forehead
Her heart is heavy
This may be the last time
They will share physical contact
A tiny sob escapes
From her constricted throat
A single tear streams down her cheeks
Dropping gently on his cheeks
Stirring him into a sleepy murmur
Her closeness and familiar fragrance
Eliciting a smile on his face
From deep within the world of slumber
She has to leave
Now
There are lives to save
The dark clouds are growing
And hers may be
One of the sacrificial offerings
To appease the raging gods
Like a soldier going to war
She steels her resolution
This is the culmination
Of all her training
This is the truest test
Of her own humanity
The world is enveloped in darkness
Humbled by a primordial fear
Even though the sun blazes at noon
Despair rents the air
And the minds of men lose hope
The gift of time
Just became more precious
Happy memories
Even more treasured
She will not give in to the panic
She must not
She has a quest to fulfil
This is her destiny
Quietly she joins the line
One of the torch bearers
Assigned to restore hope
And bring light
To the hearts of men
Posterity is a heavy burden
She carries her lit torch
Marching forward
Crying for the loved ones
She may never see again
Cheered by the many lives
She may yet save
And bring to light
Comforted by the knowledge
That either she survives or dies
She would have left the world
A better place
A safer place
For the many
Who knew not her name
And the few
Who loved it intimately
( Poet: Femi Onakanren. Poetry inspired by the lives of selfless health workers in the fight against Covid-19)
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