Poem by Aleksandra Shalakhova,
2nd year Student Respiratory Therapist
Algonquin College, Ottawa ON

I’m on a vent,
And so much Auto-PEEP!
Can’t fully exhale,
Pressure’s so steep.

I don’t think I am “slow”-
RR setting’s too high.
Can’t return to the base
Whenever I try.

Just a little more time,
Stop triggering me!
I hyperinflate
To a greater degree.

My body’s fatigued,
I am working too hard.
Just a little more time,
Please, let me retard…

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