Bleeding Control, in Haiku

We recently challenged our ACS Stop the Bleed instructors to put on their poetry hats and use a Haiku format to convey the bleeding control message in a concise and compelling way. We were blown away by the enthusiasm and number of submissions we received. Some instructors adhered more strictly to a traditional 5-7-5 Haiku, others used their poetic license to break out of those confines. We love them all!

Thank you to our amazing instructors for participating. Below is a small selection, reproduced with minimal editing.

Red blood pulsing out
Tie it off and give a shout
Save a life today

—Debra Galatioto

Stop the Bleed sign sways—
Cherry blossoms drift past it. //
A hush after spring. 

—Amy Barendregt and Allysa Burbank

Sanguine rivulets
Flowing freely in the rain
Staunched by mine own hand

—Emil “Skip” Mosny

Blood squirting, pooling, gushing,
press, pack, apply tourniquet,
anyone can save a life!

—Pamela McManus

Help! I see blood
Calm down I know what to do
Stop the bleeding now

—Rodrigo Pereira Gomes

Blood drops make it stop
Call help, press, pack, tourniquet
Save a life today!

—Leanne Knox

Reckless use of tools :(
Sigh- apply tourniquet now!
Save a life today :)

—Vicki Neidt

Like rivers that flow,
Blood must be stopped at the source—
Strong hands press like stone.

—Maya Sierra Carter

Blood, a body needs
Liquid gold circulating
For life, Stop the bleed

—Kristine Powell

Pressure stops the flow,
cloth and hands, calm in chaos,
life held in your grip.

—Dan Carmody