40 000 gowns

For the want of a gown,
the operation was lost, but
I believe in the power of fabric
to transform and to cloak,
that form loses to function-
that this protection is what we need


For the want of a mask,
the treatment was lost, but
I believe in the power of cover,
of the breath that must be guarded,
that clean air is the deepest breath-
that this protection is what we need


For the want of a plan,
our health was lost -
what use if it doesn't serve our purpose?
For the want of the gown and of the mask,
for the suitable dress and the loss of face-
no safety for the healed or healers

Poem contributed by Sarah Davies.

Photo by Artur Tumasjan on Unsplash.