Half slept staff now wend their way to where they'll spend their nighttime hours,
Through an entrance to this hungry place, which the Ill all day devours.
And make their way deep inward, whilst visitors slow drift out,
For handing over of patient care, its events hear all about.

Soon day's hubbub steady ends, as the place is put to bed,
And for a while all which about each case has been sought, consulted, said.
Last medicines and necessary care now administered in new quiet,
And the next day's requirements planned, diagnostics, drugs and diet.

Then corridor conversations are clean buffeted away.
Housekeepers tide’s edge tidy, from the waves of a busy day.
As full lit corridors and darkened wards take on their night persona,
Calm and quiet transplanted, beneficent night the generous donor.

Then soon an uncanny quietened still, pervades this castle of care,
And life and death decision is for a short while halted there.
Even acute departments have a sensory low light lull,
Clinics and day departments lie quiet and empty full.

Staff sit contemplatively, low lit by soft lamp light,
As they tend the troubled sleepless, on difficult journeys through the night.
Torment and turmoil bedfellows here, as minds reflect upon the day,
Hours extending endless, as with time's hands wild worries play.

Strange noises and soft voices, screams and sudden startling shouts,
Prior certainties and hope are undermined by devil doubt.
And the daylight can't come soon enough through windows on the wellness world,
Through which the confined spirit wishes to be swift healthy hurled.

Then lights are once again ablaze, the captive cohort dazed awakes,
Ablutions performed and breakfast brought, as new day the night staff makes.
And brief they disappear to report upon the shift,
Before away into a brightening day, then in need of sleep quick drift.

And again the building awaits the flood, new rush of concern and care,
A concentration of emotion as you'll such rare see elsewhere.
Now gone the dread of dark and gnarly nature of the night,
Replaced by days more reassuring claim, than the hospital at night.