A FRIENDLY GHOST
Some folks say ghosts are nasty or even mean,
But not the one that by me once was seen,
‘Twas on the children’s ward quite late at night,
The main hospital was a little way to the right.
We always kept the outer door locked tight.
Those who were coming called ahead, showed a light.
The night had been busy with many a sick child,
One was really ill, our concern very hard to hide,
Every ten minutes one of us went to look and see
That she was safe and as comfortable as can be.
We had just bathed her and made her all warm,
Her fever had broken, she was free from harm.
We had cared for two more children when we saw
Someone enter in through the locked outer door.
It must be night sister doing her round very early,
We both saw her long grey cloak very clearly,
I ran to the cot and found the child caught tight,
She had her bandage around her neck full of fright
She struggled, I cut the bandage and held the child,
I wondered why night sister ran, I was rather wild.
To think she left a child to strangle, up and walk away,
As I held the child the phone rang, a voice did say,
I’ll be over in five minutes, I’ll let myself in she said,
Then who was it that was here, who came to this bed?
That was the Grey Lady who appears when there is a need.
Had I not gone to investigate and that bandage freed
A lovely precious child would have died in vain,
I’ll never be afraid if I meet that Grey Lady again.

M Ann Margetson January 24, 2002