This poem celebrates all health care workers on World Health Day 2020, as they put their lives and time with loved ones on the line to keep us healthy. It is hoped that we all recognize the sacrifice and appreciate it by working together with them, following their guidelines, supporting them and help them to help us.

Braveheart

Sacrifice and duty

Passion and diligence

Are the traits that 

Drew me closer 

In an abstract way 

I knew you would face 

Battles and be at great risk

And you would love it

It is intense to support

as you head straight

Into harm’s way

Every day a close shave

Not afraid to catch it as 

You drag back lives from

The hands of death on the wards

and hallway, you give your all

What we have is more

Than gold and strong 

Enough to weather this

Yet I can’t stop the chills

I can not hold you

This space is for my safety

Yet all I want to do 

Is hug you tight

Armed with bravery and the oath

You set forth into danger each day

Leaving me at the window

Dying inside from the terror

• Oumissa

This poem was recently published in a collection Love Stories in a Pandemic by Folábòmí Àmòó

Download a free copy here.