Dear Resusci Annie
There's a story behind that face
Dear Resusci Annie,
I know we just met and this seems forward,
Excuse my hands as I place them thus,
Two fingers at your bust,
Elbows bent- prepared to thrust,
Before I start, perhaps, a word?
-
This class will prepare me to save a life,
Once I get the nod to start,
Compressions meant to wake a heart,
Synchronize breath like it's an art,
Keep my cool in the midst of strife.
_
Before I press my mouth to yours,
I was curious about whence you came.
How did you get your name?
Are you a creation- a fantasy dame?
A generic doll for sale in stores?
_
What I discovered gave me pause.
I learned that Annie was once alive,
And not much older than 10 plus 5,
When into the River Seine did dive,
and drowned, though no one knew the cause.
-
I learned the doctor made a wax mask of death,
Enchanted by the eerie air of stilled beauty and calm,
Parisians had copies, displayed with much aplomb,
On shelves next to stitched samplers of favorite psalm,
Now you, with breathing stilled, teach us to practice breath.
-
They chose you for your beautiful face,
Millions since: your lips have kissed,
Skills taught, lives saved, too many to list
Compressions! Breath! The rhythm persist!
While your eyes lay closed, reposing grace.
-
Annie, you're more than just a CPR doll-
Wherever you are, I hope you're blessed.
Know that, as strangers fumble at your breast,
Using Staying Alive, or the song they like best,
Equipping them to save lives if they get the call.
Sincerely,
Judey (and everyone that has been saved through the use of CPR)
-
Here is the research that inspired this poem, written as an Envelope Quintet, with the rhyme scheme abbba:
If you enjoy learning about the stories behind things- I think you'll enjoy this:
Here are some fun things bodies can do; how many apply to you?
Please click on the wee heart if my writing clicked with you, and drop in a comment to share your thoughts!
About the Creator
Judey Kalchik
It's my time to find and use my voice.
Poetry, short stories, memories, and a lot of things I think and wish I'd known a long time ago.
You can also find me on Medium
And please follow me on Threads, too!
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Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
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Compelling and original writing
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Well-structured & engaging content
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
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Comments (58)
Wonderful idea to write to Annie, Annie, and your piece is more than okay! Nicely done and congratulations!
Wow. Powerful writing. Congratulations.
Congrats on this win, Judey! This is amazing work. I could not believe my eyes when reading about the drowned French girl, and even when you linked that story...I still feel shocked. I really love your chosen rhyme scheme here; it demands a certain rhythm that you achieved, and kept me going, curious to see where it would end. Fantastic!
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE TOP WIN BEAUTIFUL WORK 💜
Congratulations! Great Job!
Gotta hand it to you - this was a really creative way to address this challenge. Very nicely done, and congratulations! 👏 🎉🎉
CONGRATULATIONS Judey. I had to go full caps lock. I so enjoyed your poem. I’ve picked a favourite line … ‘While your eyes lay closed, reposing grace.’ Pauline 🌸
Congratulations on your win, Judey! Well deserved. I also enjoyed learning something new about the CPR doll's face. Bravo!
Incredible work! Massive congratulations!!
Congratulations, Judey!! 😍😍 Well-deserved; amazing poem!!
Congratulations Judey!! What a unique approach to the challenge. Hearted and Subscibed (I thought I already had - sorry,) and I tried to add insights but they seem to randomly work for me. Pauline 🌸
How original Judey! Fantastic poem for a fantastic win! So pleased for youuu!!!
Congratulations again! ❤️
This is a cool concept to write a poem from. I didn't know there was a whole story behind the CPR doll. Very creative and great writing!
I am blown away by this, Judey! So original, compelling, and beautiful. I love the CPR celebration!
I never knew the story behind the CPR doll. Thank you so much for informing me and congratulations on placing second in this Challenge! Well deserved!
Interesting, I very much like how you wrote this. Huge congratulations
Congratulations, Judey! I loved this when I read it and Loved it again re-reading. Lots of memories with Annie.
Really unique topic and flowed great. Thanks Judey and well done.
Fantastic, very original and well written!
I'm sorry I only just read this when the results were announced. This is beautiful, Judey and I love all the research you did into it. Fascinating! Congrats!
Whimsical, informative and incredibly well written. Congratulations!
Congratulations on a well-deserved win. And what a great concept for a letter. I'm sure Annie is proud. 💖
Huge congrats on your prize Judey! 😊
Congratulations!