VA NY Harbor Healthcare System

Army Veteran and poet Rev. Samuel Edwards, Jr.

Army Veteran Rev. Samuel Edwards, Jr., says, “I always carry a pen. Inspiration strikes at unusual times.” The charming 67-year -old receives Home Based Primary Care Services and comes in to the hospital for specialized care. Despite his upbeat manner, he says he has many medical problems. “Looks are deceiving. I wear a brace. It doesn’t show. I have problems with my bladder, prostate and lungs. With me and with other Veterans, other people don’t know what they can’t see.”

Trained as a chaplain, Edwards began writing poetry decades ago when someone suggested it might be therapeutic if he wrote his feelings down. He first started writing poems in the late 1970’s. “I wasn’t too good at first, but I became obsessed with poetry,“ he says. Rev. Edwards participates in open mike readings and also reads his poetry at other public poetry performances.

His poems touch on many subjects. And, his appreciation for the outstanding healthcare he’s been receiving from his VA Home Based Primary Care team and providers at VA’s Manhattan Campus, recently prompted him to put pen to paper. Talking about the thoughtfulness of a follow-up phone call he received from a nurse involved in his care, Rev. Edwards says caregivers at VA “don’t just take the job seriously, but personally. I appreciate that.” And, being a poet, he’s written the following VA-inspired poem that even names some of his caregivers.

CARING FOR THE VETS

When a Vet’s body malfunctions in New York and it needs some serious repair

The VA Harbor Healthcare staff in Manhattan is always there. With some amazing Social Workers who use a compassionate flair, by letting the Veterans know just how much they care. And also the urologists, the optometrists and plus so many more, they all treat the Vets with kindness when the vets arrive on the floor.

And to the hurting Vets their kindness means so very much, and the VA Medical Center in Manhattan has added another special touch

Like when the Vets walk into the building there’s a pleasant atmosphere, a real classic example to all of just how much they care.

But first they’re screened by a security team with metal detectors every day

Where they check all ID’s and take unwanted items away

And they even have a Starbucks Coffee shop located on the very first floor

And sometimes the Vets can smell the coffee as soon as they walk thru the door

And they also have some tables and chairs so the Vets can enjoy their Starbucks brew, or they can go to the cafeteria to get something else and they can have some coffee there too.