Signs tied to lampposts point

the way from the free car park,

past ambulance waiting discreetly,

help you to find the place easily.

Legions of people in hi-vis jackets

with nice, kind smiles bustle

about, wipe tables and chairs,

give you a number, tell you

where to sit. You discover

you’re getting the ‘right’ one,

much to your relief. And at some

 

moment when you’re not expecting

it, just sitting there, watching

the busying volunteers

you well up, you can’t help it,

tears spring to your eyes,

it takes you by surprise, thinking

about all that’s happened,

the long months that have come

to this. People working together

for the greater good. Our NHS.

This side-effect is common, I believe.