Dr. Laura Hawryluck's latest book is an insightful and masterful depiction of the circumstances faced by hospital frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Raw and soul-baring, her poems conjure images of their sheer resolve in trying to save the lives of so many, the reality of the toll it took, and ultimately the perseverance of the remarkable people who work in ICUs around the world.

The pandemic continues to flare, continues to create challenges and sadly continues to divide us. These poems describe the inner thoughts and emotional roller coaster of those working in ICUs as medical science becomes more politicized and as their lived reality diverges from the global public portrayal of COVID-19. This book is sure to be a staple in understanding their state of mind and abilities to cope. Though for many healthcare workers the toll has been inconceivable, the poems tell a powerful story of survival and healing.