I Did All I Could...

I knew not what to do
I knew I had to go
It isn't like I didn't care
I think I cared too much
The clients are asleep
They have all had meds
They have all been fed
Above them, a good roof
Around them, all they need
I did all I could
But did I do enough?
No, I did all I could
Their problems still exist
The bullshit yet persists
And the leadership resists
but I did all I could
The sleep, my eyes did close
The staff revolted, my temper rose
The schedule, I broke like glass
While administration kicked my ass
If only I could give more...
If only they could see
But I gave all I could
The clients cannot understand
It was for them I tried
So innocent and trapped
It is the the life they know
And I know they shall go on
We were so all alike
We the clients, we the staff
All suckered in like saps
The deception was the same
We all became attached
So hard to be just "staff"
--to need permission to be friends
--to watch those friendships end
--to let your people down
--to wonder what became of them
I'll remember what they taught
The wisdom in their ways
The tricksters, and the quiet ones,
The clowns, the athletes and the ladies men
and my mistakes that they forgave
They will always be my friends
and they know better than I
that their humanity will find a way
I did all I could
I gave just enough
and it is enough to know
I may have done some good