The Look of a Superhero
Female Superhero Flying Forward
By: Kathie Weaver
Two eyes peer out at me from just over the light blue face mask. I am completely mesmerized, as if frozen in time. I stared long and hard into their brilliance. Each blink casts an oceanic spell inviting me to dive deeper.
A small string of blond hair cuts loose, escaping the tight hair band that holds the others captive. The loose curl gently falls in a wisp in front of her eye bobbing up and down with every head movement that follows.
It’s been a long night, there are dark shadows lurking under her eyes and a pile of empty coffee cups has started to grow beside her. They say the eyes are the window to the soul and tonight her eyes show the pain, frustration, exhaustion, disappointment, and determination that she is feeling.
This was more than she bargained for; the long hours and endless people in need of care. Each one that she helps could be the one who gives her the same illness that she is fighting hard against. Sacrifices have been made; costing much in both finance and emotion. The carnage of a world pandemic strewn all around her, yet she must kick it aside and forge onward.
She sighs gently as she takes a moment to fix her hair and adjust her mask before heading into the next cubicle. Gingerly, she checks her watch; it feels like hours have passed but her shift is barely 3 hours in. It’s going to be a long night.
Each day is different; some days it’s more bearable but today her patience has run thin and her state of mental and emotional health is weak. It won’t take much to flood her beautiful eyes with tears.
With the strength mustered from deep within, propelled by the caffeine of 5 coffees past she steps forward and with one swift motion she peels back the curtains into the next cubicle. Her patient lays in the bed, hot with fever and short of air intake.
Within a single moment she shifts gears; her inner roar sends adrenaline through her veins, bravery and grit blend and infuse into her bloodstream. Her senses tingle and off she goes to save the world. I could tell from her eyes that she was a superhero in disguise.