The city wears a blanket of rain against the glass,

The midnight traffic blurs and disappears as sirens pass.

A nurse calls from the doorway, says, “We need you on the floor,”

And I leave my cooling coffee as I hurry through the door.

There’s a family in the hallway, there are questions in their eyes,

There’s a young man on the table with a fading pulse that tries

To hold on through the thunder of the monitors and lights—

I wash my hands, breathe once, and step into the night.

Someone says my name; someone’s trying not to cry.

I can feel the seconds moving, but I can’t ask them why.

There’s no room here for the fear that’s rising in my chest—

Just a life that needs a steady hand, and all the skill I’ve left.

Take the knife! You’re the only one who could do save his life!

Every heartbeat’s hanging by a thread tonight.

Hold the line, keep the fear out of your eyes—

Take the knife! You’re the only one who could do save his life!