Ordinary

You pass a woman in the street,
not a second glance given,
so ordinary,
nothing special,
But, she is a nurse,
saves lives,
comforts the dying.
She is phenomenal.

Look at her over there,
dressed smartly,
but no different
to many others.
Ordinary, not special.
But she is a social worker,
protects children,
suffers abuse.
She is phenomenal

Another sits opposite you on the bus,
she looks tired, worn down.
Aren’t we all, you think?
She’s nothing special, ordinary.
But she is a carer,
cares for those
who no one wants to care for,
with pay that no one
wants to work for.
She is phenomenal.
They, and many others, are phenomenal.

Malcolm Henshall

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