Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DAY NURSE, by JULIA GRACE WALES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DAY NURSE, by                    
First Line: Freshness of morning in the air that flows
Last Line: Did lowly service unto human kind?
Subject(s): Nurses


Freshness of morning in the air that flows
Across the cots when you have moved the screens;
Freshness of morning in the slender rose
You're bringing from the door,
The sunny daffodils and dewy greens
In those tall vases waiting on the floor.
Freshness of morning in the light that falls
With splendor on unpictured walls,
With splendor on unpictured walls,
On rod and knob and glasses dancing,
And in the basin glimmering and glancing.
Freshness of morning in your friendly eyes,
Your merry, wise,
Authoritative air,
The starched and glossy flare
Of bib, cap, cuff, hem, apron strings.
You bring us in this narrow place
Youth, vitality, and grace,
And thirstily we drain
That precious cordial to relieve our pain.

Priestess of common things,
Like bath and breakfast, to the senses lent,
Whence is this power to transubstantiate
And of such elements create
Beauty's fair sacrament.

As in the light you stand,
The towel and basin in your hand,
Why should I think of One who long ago
Took towel and basin so,
And with a quiet mind,
Did lowly service unto human kind?





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