It's nine in the morning.
My shift is almost over,
For the last ten hours I’ve provided care
For people who need it
And dealt with ones who don’t.
I’ve been called every name in the book, and a few I didn’t know existed

I just finished taking care of a handsy drunk who didn’t understand
The concept of no
I had to call security to restrain him
Except that security is not allowed to touch the patients.
There are some things I will never understand
The only thing wrong with him is he drank too much
So I shake my head and finish discharging him

In his place: a sweet little boy
He fell out of a tree and landed on his arm
Kind as ever, I can tell he's been raised right
His arm is broken but his smile isn’t
I give him a choice of color, pink or blue
With a big grin he points at pink
I leave the room happily granting his request
Upon my return I give him a big gold star
He beams at me and hops off the bed

I walk down the hallway to find a nurse to report off to
As I pass Room Three
I close my eyes and remember the young woman who was in there last night.
I wish we could have saved her,
We didn’t have enough time,
She’s gone. I have to keep moving
Looking up I see it’s finally time to go home
I swipe my badge,
Leaving the regret and pain as I go,
I can't take it with me.
I give report and let out a long exhale

It's not all bad though,
On the drive home I see the same little boy leaving with his mother,
He's wearing that pink cast on his arm and proudly presenting the shiny gold star sticker to her. 
She smiles, holding his hand as I drive away