It was a day in September of 1946.
When I stood at the doctor’s door.
It was the last hour of the last day
To do a terrible chore.
The school which I was attending
Said this was what I had to do.
All students were required
To get a shot for flu.
I found all kinds of excuses
To delay what had to come.
I hated the thought of a needle
Making an arm so very numb.
I paced back and forth
In front of this terrible place.
Knowing full well what
I really had to face.
But I finally had to enter
And face a smiling nurse.
I winced at the alcohol on my arm
And expected something worse.
I closed my eyes so not to see
The needle that she would use.
Gritted my teeth and waited
For this painful abuse.
I felt a prick and that was all;
The flu shot I had received.
I had worried at least a week
This simple thing to achieve..
I’ve had many more shots since then
And they no longer bother me.
But a hypodermic needle
I have yet to see!
jhs