Ode to Dr Lorna Breen

Just a minutes silence 
And the world moves on
They are calling you a hero
So that they can sleep at night
They make heroes out of sensitive souls
So that they can sleep at night
'She was truly in the trenches of the frontline'
Your father said
But he might not be able to sleep tonight

You saw too much death they say
You worked too hard they say
That's why you harmed yourself they say
That for me is taking your strength away
But they need words
And then
Just a minute's silence 
Just a minute's silence 
And the world moves on

Were you dying for a hug?
Your hands to be held in a loving touch?
Did it pain when you felt all alone?
They make heroes out of sensitive souls
So that they can sleep at night
They are calling you a hero
They are calling you a hero
So that they can sleep at night
I hope you are sleeping alright 

We know by now
Frontline workers are left to die
Like the hapless infantry
Sent into the enemy lines
To die in the frontlines
Or to die many deaths within
Each gets a minute's silence
Or a gold plated tin medal
And the world sleeps on

You loved Salsa they say
And skiing through the snow
You loved your father I know
Like him, you became a doctor too
You loved Life I know
For you saved so many lives 
I hope you can love yourself now
For, I have fallen in love with you. 

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Written in pain and in love for Dr Lorna Breen,  (ex) chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital.