A FRONTLINE nurse who lifted the spirits of her colleagues by writing poems has now been published in a poetry anthology by Harper Collins.

Maria Heslop, from Gretna, has joined 99 others from across the world in having her poetry about the pandemic published in an anthology ‘Poems for a Pandemic’.

It is a collection of poems that captures this incredible moment in time and the experiences of people on the frontlines.

Maria, who works at the Cumberland Infirmary, said: “It’s all nurses, doctors, families, and key workers who have written all these poems and they have all gone into a book.”

It was a surreal moment for Maria when found out that her poem, My Day, was set to be published in a book – and by a publisher with international recognition.

My Day is emotional as it shares the realities of life on a ward in the midst of a pandemic.

“I was a bit shocked,” she said.

“It’s really weird seeing your name in a book and in the index with your poem.”

She has been writing poetry for years for family and friends on big occasions, as well as for colleagues on the wards.

Her poems have been picked up by organisations such as Help the Aged and the bereavement service at the hospital.

“I do things for weddings, big birthdays, all sorts of things really as a hobby,” she said.

All profits made through sales will be donated to NHS Charities Together for the Covid-19 Appeal.

As of yet, it is not yet known how much has been raised by the book so far but they are hoping to get an idea by the middle of July.

“The proceeds are going to the NHS charities which is really good, I’m really pleased about it,” commented Maria.

It’s a piece of history that people can look back on and reflect on the feelings at the time.

She said: “It might be something that ends up being a part of history to document how people felt during the pandemic.

“It’ll be something that people can look back on and say ‘gosh I remember that’, this is what people who were working on the frontline felt like.”

It can be purchased as an eBook on Amazon.