A poem by Michael Rosen, ‘These are the Hands’, that is the title poem of a timely new poetry anthology about the NHS, was read on BBC Radio 4’s morning Today programme on Thursday at around 8.30 am by news presenter Sophie Raworth.

In the last few days on the programme BBC journalists have been reading a poem that means something to them. Sophie Raworth chose Michael Rosen’s poem, written more than a decade to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the NHS, as a tribute to “all my friends who are so modest about what they do … the risks to us are small, compared to those on the front line.”  

She also mentioned Michel Rosen himself, who is in hospital with suspected coronavirus. The 73-year-old is said to be "still poorly" after spending 24 hours in intensive care. His family said on Sunday: "He is still poorly but has remained stable this week with some positive signs of improvement."

 You can read Michael Rosen’s poem here

and watch Michael Rosen delivering his poem here 

Background: NHS poetry anthology raises £1,200 for Covid-19 Emergency Fund within days