Shaney jumped involuntarily. But so did everyone else in the makeshift tent. The bomb had seemed a little too close for comfort. She’d volunteered to assist in the war by coming to the frontline- but was already regretting that decision. This was utter carnage! She shifted uncomfortably.
“Listen carefully!” Sister Margaret practically bellowed over the sounds of gunfire and soldiers’ shouts. “Dr Martin has only got time to suture the internal injuries. We do the rest!” She was rushing her speech now, her attention diverted by the good doctor, as he waved, frantically in her direction.
Shaney’s heart thudded in fright. Nothing had prepared her the smell and gore in the medical tent. Gurneys were littered with the dead or dying as the air inside filled with painful screams.
“Nurse!” shouted a frantic Sister Margaret, “Take this one. Remember: suture, dab and dress. And quickly! More casualties are on their way!” She sprinted away.
Shaney looked down at her charge and gulped. The soldier’s scalp lay like a bloodied sheet , covering the top half of his face. Her stomach lurched. With trembling hands Shaney lifted it back, approximated the edges-as she’d been taught in nursing school- and began to sew the poor man together. She jumped to the next gurney. This soldier’s abdomen lay gaping open.
Over the next few hours, Shaney’s hands steadied and her pace quickened. Injured soldiers poured in as the battle raged outside.
Still, she kept on. Her fingers, flying. Slowly, as the battle abated, so did their work.
All three were able to pause for breath in the dead of night.
“Well done,” intoned an exhausted Dr Martin. Sister Margaret smiled wearily at her. Shaney nodded. Tiredness had crept into her bones but purpose had entered her heart. She now knew where she was meant to be.
©Vivian Zems
August 4, 2019 at 11:25 pm
WOW! I felt and saw every word. I’m glad there are people in the world who find purpose in such hard work!
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August 8, 2019 at 1:02 pm
Thank goodness for that!
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August 5, 2019 at 12:27 am
A riveting read! You took us right there, I could see it all. Thank heaven some people are able to work on the front lines. The hardest job there is.
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August 8, 2019 at 1:01 pm
I think so too
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August 5, 2019 at 1:41 am
Excellent writing and so relevant for this world we are in as a major industry is to manufacture weapons so that vying nations can puchase them to destroy each other while other nations can make a huge profit!
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August 5, 2019 at 2:10 am
What a powerful prose piece. You really articulated Shaney’s emotional journey so compellingly here … a journey, I am sure, most (if, indeed, not all) mobile surgical personnel in a war zone, would relate to. The story certainly carried me along from start to finish. This is excellent writing.
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August 8, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Thanks Wendy 🙂
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August 5, 2019 at 2:44 am
Trial by fire–sometimes that’s the only way to know you’re up for the task. But it’s worth it to find out what it is you’re meant to do.
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August 8, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Absolutely
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August 5, 2019 at 2:58 am
Wish there were no war at all. However this will never happen. How will the weapons sell?
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August 5, 2019 at 3:08 am
I wish you were wrong. Sigh.
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August 8, 2019 at 12:58 pm
Sigh…indeed.
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August 8, 2019 at 12:59 pm
How, indeed.
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August 5, 2019 at 3:08 am
The carnage shows vivid and loud. And the images… I kept imagining the nun in a habit (which would be silly, but the mind will do what it does).
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August 8, 2019 at 12:59 pm
Love that I could get your imagination going
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August 5, 2019 at 1:47 pm
Nothing good comes out of war. Your story captures this so vividly. I wish it was only fiction but sadly we live in a world, where needle and dread go hand in hand. An affecting write, Viv!
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August 8, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Thanks Khaya!
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August 5, 2019 at 4:09 pm
What a breathtaking story! One can feel the urgency and fear in that field hospital. and finally, that sense of purpose in volunteering for the frontline.
great storytelling.
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August 8, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Thank you 🙂
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August 5, 2019 at 4:27 pm
Wow, that’s stitching to some purpose! I love that she ‘found herself’ in this vital work.
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August 8, 2019 at 12:56 pm
I’m glad she did
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August 5, 2019 at 5:59 pm
This is such an inspiring story Vivian. It had me feeling the fear and intensity of war and bloodshed, but also the endurance of hope and care of humanity. Well done!!
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August 8, 2019 at 12:55 pm
Thanks Carrie!
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September 4, 2019 at 5:22 am
Hi, would love for you to check out my blog and let me know what you think ☺️
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September 4, 2019 at 5:38 pm
Sure
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