PsychSIGN Magazine. "In This Moment" Edition. Volume 4. May 2024.

“In This Moment” Edition. Volume 4. May 2024

InThisMoment, thereisloomingdisaster. Atidalwavepoisedoverhead. InAMomentweshallbecrushed, sweptawayinthetide.

Yet,InThisMoment, thereisbreath-takingbeauty. Amidstthecurrents,thereispeace. ItonlytakesAMoment,forustofind thecalmamongthestorm.

Butaboveall,ThisMoment, ismerelyAMoment. Andmomentspass.

By:TeresaHoskins

Table of Contents Page24

InterviewwithDr.Noa’aShimoniMD,MPH

AfamilyphysicianonfacultyatRutgersNewJerseyMedical School. She received her MD at NJMS and did residency at Beth Israel Medical Center in NYC. She then completed a FellowshipinFamilyPlanningandanMPHinEpidemiologyat ColumbiaPresbyterianandMailmanSchoolofPublicHealth. In2012,shereturnedtoNewJerseyMedicalSchooltodirect Student Health and is an associate professor. She has been dedicatedtostudenthealthandwellness,beingakeymember inorganizingtheschool’spandemicresponseaswellasdriving initiativestoprotectstudentemotionalhealth.Shenowserves as Associate Vice President for Student Health and Wellness across Rutgers University and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Health and Wellness at Rutgers New Brunswick.SheleadsmultipleRutgersHealthstudentwellness initiatives.

25-28-InterviewwithDr.Noa’aShimoni

29-30-BeneaththeSurfacebyReniForer

31-I’mNotaSurgeonbyRidaMerchant

32-34 -CardiacPathology/PullingStringsbyRachelTreat

35-CollagebyLizaMagill

36-37-UnFunctionallyDepressedbyOsaiyaokoSylviaOmozee

38-39-ArtfromPreethashreeAnbukkarasu

40-ArtfromMichelleKarpenos

41-tobeachildbyMelissaChen

42-44-SubmissionSeries:AmyY.Kim

45-47-LearningfromLossbySiddharthPrasad

48-BreathebyEliseKao

49-50 -“Expectations”byAyeshaTariq

51-TomyfuturepatientbyJanePark

52-55-SubmissionSeries:JaskaranSinghDhillon

56-ThisMoment:AReflectiononLossandResilienceinthe EmergencyRoombyJaysonWild

57-58-tickita-tickita-tickita-tingbyHadaFonghaIeong

59-TheForegonePathbyIndhuRammohan

60-PhotofromKatarinaMilosavljevic

61-TheLastSipbyNiyatiPanchal

LetterfromtheEditor

DearReader,

Whetheryouarealong-timereaderoryouarehereforyourfirsttime, yoursupportisgreatlyappreciated.Abitaboutmyself,Ijoinedthis magazineinmyfirstyearofmedicalschool.Idesignedthefirstcoverand havetrulymarveledathowthisprojecthasgrown.Thisstartedasa passionprojectof(nowDr.)ChadenNoureddine.Itrulyamgratefulto helpbuildthisprojectasIbelievethecollectiveartisticgrowthof humanityshouldcomefromallwalksoflife,notjust“professional artists”.Ourteamgladlycontinuestoprovideaplatformforthe creativityofmedicalstudentsanddoctorstoshine.Thistime,weknew thatmanystudentsalsowantedaplacetoexpresstheirthoughtsand feelingsasthecomplexitiesoftheworldevolves.Thus,theteamof editorsandIdecidedtohavethethemeofthisissuebe“InThis Moment”.Ihopethishasbeenavaluableexperienceforourmany wonderfulartists,photographers,andauthorsandIhopethatyouthe readercantakeawaysomethingmeaningfulfromthisissue.

Enjoyreadinganddon'tlettimepassyouby;remembertoliveinthis moment~

Thankyou,

TemitopeAli Co-EditorinChief

LetterfromtheEditor

DearReader,

Thankyoufortakingthetimetocheckoutthiseditionof PsychSIGNMagazine!Ithasbeenanhonortobeapartofthisproject duringmytimeasamedicalstudent.Iwasveryexcitedtotakeontherole ofCo-EditorinChiefthisyearalongsideTemitope.

Throughallthehustleandbustleofmedicalschool,Ihavemadean effortnottolosesightofmyinterestsinvisualandwrittenart. PsychSIGNMagazinehasbeenagreatwaytotiemypersonalintereststo myprofessionalinterestsinbecomingapsychiatrist.

Everyyear,Iamamazedatallofthebeautifulandinsightful submissionstothemagazine.Thisedition’stheme,“InThisMoment,” givesusalltheopportunitytocatchaglimpseofmanydifferent experiencesandperspectives.It’samazinghowasinglemomentcancause alastingimpact-onethatinspires(orevendemands)further immortalizationintheformofart.

Lookingbackatthispastyear,what“moments”standouttoyou? Howaboutthispastweek?Thispastday?Whatmakesa“moment” memorabletoyou,andwhatsortsofthingshaveyougainedfromthese notablepointsinyourlife?

Sincerely,

KellyHuynh Co-EditorinChief

TemitopeAli-Co-ChiefEditor

Rutgers-NewJerseyMedical School,MS4,Classof2024

“Ilikedrawingandanimating, mostlyinacartoonystyle,Ialsolike tomakegamesonmyfreetime. FromtimetotimeIliketogoon casualhikesandappreciatethe beautyoftheworld.”

TouroUniversityCaliforniaCollege ofOsteopathicMedicine,MS2, Classof2026

“Alotofmyfavoritethingstodo haveaverycreativebend.Ilove reading,writingandevenimprov actingwhentheopportunityarises.”

-Editor

Rutgers-NewJerseyMedical School,MS3,Classof2025

“Movieshavealwaysbeenmy favoritepastimeandhavebeenakey methodofde-stressingthroughout medicalschool!Ialsoenjoymodel making;layingoutthedifferent partsandmaterialsismeditative, andyougetsomethingtangiblefor yourefforts!”

EasternVirginiaMedicalSchool,MS4, Classof2024

“Ilikedrawing,baking,playingvideo games,andbuildingminiLegosets.I likefindingopportunitiestobecreative withfood,likeinventingnewicecream flavorsanddecoratingfocacciabread!”

Rutgers-NewJerseyMedical School,MS3,Classof2026

“IenjoyswimmingandIam learninghowtobalanceschool, work,andfitness.Therightroutine isoutthere,justgottoreachoutand grabit.”

Rutgers-NewJerseyMedical School,G1intheMD/PhD Program(3rdyearintheprogram; 1styearinthePhDpart)

“Onthemoremedicine-adjacent sideofthings,I’minterestedin neuroscience,medicalhistory,anda bunchofdifferentkindsofwriting (preferablyallcombinedintoone package).Unrelated,Ialsoreallyenjoyrunning,cooking newveganfood,boardgames,andshowingpeople picturesofmysoon-to-be-20-year-oldcat.”

KellyHuynh-Co-ChiefEditor

TeresaHoskins-CoverArtist/Editor

BryanCabezas-Editor

MarioSokolic

RebeccaZaritsky-Editor

InAPsychedelicWorld

By:AdriannaLam

By:GraceBuechel

NeverAgain

By:Anonymous

Iusedtoreadhistoryandwonder:How?

Blatantviolationsofbasichumandignity.

Disregardforpeoplewearemeanttoserve.

Theatrocities.

Thedisrespect. Thebloodshed.

Unthinkableacts.

Arealitystrangerthanfiction.

Iusedtothink:Isthisevenrelevanttousnowinour“modernage?” Ah,hownaiveIwas.

“Neveragain,”theysaid.“Neveragain.”

By:HopeVanBuren

itisbut Exhaledlikeamelody

flownoutwitheachbreath.

Understoodlikewordsread quietly,

Feltasabreezewhipped gently.

Treatedwithkindness, simplypreciousbeforedeath.

Beganwithoutmeaning. Leftinahurry. Missedwhenit'sgone. Forgottenasanafterthought. itisbutamoment.

ArtbyAuthor

SushiMoments

By:ChadenNoureddine,MD

Medium: Digital Painting

EternalNight

By:AnuragModak

Thequartermoonisheldaloftinaseaofblack, Illuminatingtherollinghillsofcloudsbelow. Itssoft,whitelightcastsathinveneer Sofragile,asimpleglancemightbreakthrough.

Thestarsscatteredacrosstheskyprovidecompanionshiptothis lonelycelestialbodyandI,residingbetwixttherealmsoftheheaven andtheearth,

Abovetheclouds,butbeneaththesky

Bearwitnesstoitssolitude

Tothesilenceofthenight.

Ihaveseenthemoonrise Andaneonhasgoneby, ButI’veyettoseeitset. There’sanairofanticipation

Anexpectationofsomethingmore.

But,solaceandquietudeprevail… Themoonremainsafloatinthesameplace Foreternityandevermore.

FlyingBetweenHeavenandEarth

By:AnuragModak

Asleepingcity.

Cold,eternallightsglowlikeembers, Punctuatingthedarknesswhichstretchesunderneath. Here,thereislife! Here,thereiscivilization!

Surroundingme, Darknessandsilence.

Above,

Aseaofstars Whoselightisuntaintedbythegelid,undyingflamesofthecitiesbelow.

Singularpointsoflight; Manyofwhichhavenotbeenespiedforyears, Manyofwhichhavelongceasedtobe. Allarebeheldgloriously!

TheMilkyWayspansthesky, Faintbutdiscernible.

AreminderofthegrandscaleoftheUniverse, Itloomsoverourheadsconstantly. Yet,werarelylookuptoponderitssignificance. Itslightisdrownedoutbyourown. Still,itisunchanged.

AndjustliketheMilkyWay, ThelightsofthecityextendacrosstheEarthbeneathme.Asabove,so below.

Daybyday,

TheEarthlyconstellationsgrow. Amicrocosmicreflectionofthemacrocosm.

DoHeavenandEarth Growclosereachday?

SunriseOvertheClouds

By:AnuragModak

Asthetranquilityofnightdrewtoanend,the firstraysofdawngentlyflowedforth,TheSun ascendingfrombehindthemountains.

Shapeshifting,fugaciousmountains

Afterbutafewmoments,notatraceofthese mountainsremained.

AstheSuncontinuedtoclimbacrossthesky

Thetimid,reddishhuesofdawndeferredto theresplendentazureofdayThebrilliant daylitskyrevealedasnowylandscapebelow.

Yet,itwasnoordinarysnow

Foritsatnotupontheground

Adeceptionofthedenseclouds!

Apristinelyfrostedland

Glisteningiridescence

HeavenuponEarth.

Butthismiragewasnotthetrueempyrean Simplyanillusionoftheclouds:

Illusionsofclouds

Mountainsofclouds

Rocksofclouds

Treesofclouds

Wavesofclouds

Nationsofclouds

Peoplesofclouds

Warsofclouds

Shadowsofclouds

Delusionsofclouds.

Canwetrulylivewithouttheallurementof theclouds?

Exploring

By: SuniaKhan

By: SuniaKhan

SubmissionSeries:AbeLibman

Ijustwatchedanairmandie

By:Anonymous

Ijustwatchedanairmandie, goupinflames,standingatattention untilhecouldn’tanymore whileagunwaspointedathim.

BecauseanyonewhostandswithPalestineisanexistentialthreat.

Ijustwatchedanairmandie. Hisyouthful,smilingface,nowmemorialized asoftwareengineer,withasoftnessthatisnowturnedtoashes. Burnt,likethePalestinianshitwithwhitephosphorus.

Ijustwatchedanairmandie butnooneseemstocare.Theysayhewasmad, losthismind.

Becauseyouhavetobeclinicallyinsane tocareaboutthepeopleofPalestine.

Ijustwatchedanairmandie,screaminghislastwords, “FreePalestine!”

“FreePalestine!”

Sotherulingclasswillknowthathewouldn’tnormalizewhattheywould.

Ijustwatchedanairmandie. Then,Isuckeditupandmovedon,pretendingIwasstillhere, tryingtoignorethedissonancethatlingered betweenmybody,calmlywalkingthroughthehallways, andmysoul,desperatelyclingingtothedeadbodies.

Ijustwatchedanairmandie, alongwith13,000children.

“Howmanydeathswillittake‘tilheknowsthattoomanypeoplehavedied?”

Dylansaidtheanswerwouldbeblowinginthewind.

Thewindthatcarriestheshrieksofpregnantwomengivingbirth withoutanesthetics.

Thewindcarryinghowlsofgrandparentscrushedundertherubble. ThewindcarryingUncleKhaled’sReem,thesoulofhissoul.

ThewindcarryingthelastwordsofHindRajab. Butwestayedinsideandonlysawthetreebranchessway. Wecouldn’tlookfortoolongthough,

Meetingstoattend,examstotake,friendstolaughwith.

Ijustwatchedanairmandie.

Isawthosewhosolemnlysworeto“beloyaltotheprofessionofmedicine andjustandgeneroustoitsmembers” turntheirbacksattheover400healthcareworkersdead. Rather,martyred.

Spendingtheirlastmomentsatthebedside, Embodyingtheirrolestothefullestby Curingsometimes

Relievingoften Andcomfortingalways.

Ijustwatchedanairmandie. Slowly,painfully.Ican’tforgethim. Imustn’tforgethim.

AndIcontinuewatchthechildrenofGazadie,finallyatpeace. Becausetherewasnopeaceinlife.

AndIwonderifIdiedtoo. Isthereanyhumanityleftanymore?

SubmissionSeries:WeiQian

Interview with Dr. Noa’a Shimoni

Interviewed by: Temitope Ali

Temitope-“HelloDr.Shimoni!Iamgladyou couldtakethetimetospeakwithme.To startoff,Iwanttoask:whatmadeyou interestedinstudentwellness?”

Dr.Shimoni-“Ithappenedbychance.Family medicineisbroad–lotsofpreventivecare,repro health,procedures,infectiousdisease,travel medicine,mentalhealth–itturnedoutthatthe studenthealthpopulationfitsnicelywiththe medicineIgravitatedtowards.Wellnesssnuckin there–mentalhealthcareisbreadandbutter familymedicine.Ifoundmyselffeelingthe anxietyofstudentsintheclinicalsetting,seeing wherewefellshort,andwantingtodo somethingaboutitonalargerscale,bothinthe clinicalsettingand,acknowledgingthatmost studentswillnotstepintotheclinicalsetting, preventionoutsidetheclinicalsettingaswell.”

Temitope-“Whatdoeswellnesslooklikeinyourpersonallife?Arethereanyhobbiesor activitiesyouenjoy?”

Dr.Shimoni-“Therearealotofthings!SometimesIhavetimeforthem,sometimesIdonot.The thingsIlikemostarebeinginnature,traveling,andbeingwithpeoplewhoimpactmepositively.When theweatherisgood,Iliketosneakoutandhaveanicewalk.Evenifthatisonlyfor15to20minutes. DuringmywalksIcanfocusonthingslikewhatchangedinthisseason;listeningtothebirds;or whateveritisthatmaybeafocusorananchorforameditativeexperience.Thatcanbegreatbuteven whenthereisnotananchor,justwalkingandlisteningtoapodcastisfinetoo.”

“IalsoliketointegratethingsIalreadyhavetodointomywellness.Forexample,Ilovecooking bothbecauseIfinditmeditativeandbecauseitisalsoanactivitywhereonecanplayandbe creative.WhenIamcuttingordoingotherrepetitivetasks,thatsortof“slowwork”ismeditative. Yet,attheendoftheexperience,thepeoplearoundyougettoeatandenjoyyourwork.Itisa win-win.Ialsotrytobookendthedaywithsomemindfulnessorbreathingpractices”

Temitope-“That'swonderful.Inthismagazine,weoftenfocusontheartisticandthe literatureskillsofdoctorsandmedicalstudents,butitcanbejustasimportanttohave thatphysicalandoutdoorwellnessthatcan'tnecessarilybeputintoamagazine.Itis greatthatyoumentionthatbecausesometimespeoplesay,“Idon'thaveaparticularway tomaintainwellness,”becausetheymayonlythinkofartandothercreativehobbiesas wellness.However,Ithinkthingslikebeingoutsidetoenjoynaturearejustasvalid.”

Dr.Shimoni-“Yes,agreed.Theartpieceandcreativeoutletscanhappeninactivitieslikecooking. Ialsoenjoycreatingmorestructuredartlikepottery;Ilovethrowingonthewheel.

AssociatedworksbyDr.Shimoni

Temitope- “Howhasthetopicof“Wellness”changedovertheyearsinthewidermedical community?Whatdoyoufindparticularlyinterestingabouthowithaschanged?”

Dr.Shimoni- “Wearestartingtolookatwellnessasmorethanapersonalresponsibilitytoberesilient throughmeditationoryogaorexercise,andasacommunityresponsibilitythatcreatesaculturewhere peoplearesupportedandfeelgood.Thisleadstolessprogrammingandmoreinfrastructureto supportpeopleascomplexhumanbeingswithmanyneedsandmanyresponsibilities.

Temitope-“Howdoyoufeelthewellnessofhealthcareprofessionalsimpactspatientcare?”

Dr.Shimoni-“Tostartwith,ifwe’renotinagoodplaceourselves,it’sextremelyhardforustocare forothers.Welosepatience,we’renotcalmenoughtolistentounderstandsowecanhelpthepatient withtheirneeds.Andthere’sanotherlevel.Whatweembody,wecanteach–thiscomestoplaywhen wetalktopatientsaboutwhattoeatandhowtoincorporateexerciseandrelaxationtechniques.Ifwe believethedataandembodythebehavior,itissomucheasiertoteach,beauthentic,andimpact others.”

Temitope-“Whatdoyouloveaboutfamilymedicine?”

Dr.Shimoni-“Ilikefamilymedicinebothforthevarietyandthefactthatitispreventive.Ialways thoughtthatprimaryandsecondarypreventionweresomuchmorepowerfulthanwaitingforwhen somebodybecomestrulyill.Canyoureallyhelpthematthatpoint?Youcanhelpsome,butthe abilitytohelpthroughpreventionisamazing.Youhavetheopportunitytohelppeopleinwaysthat maybefairlyeasyyetquiteprofound.Whetheritisbychangingone’soutlook,beingabletomanage anxiety,orbeingabletoeatbetter.Thosethingsimpactpeople'slives,theirfeelingsaboutthemselves andtheirabilitytofunction.”

Temitope–“Regardingtheincreasedcollaborationbetweenprimarycaredoctorsand psychiatriststacklingthegrowingmentalhealthneedsofthecountry–whatadvicedoyou haveforprimarycaredoctorstobebetteradvocatesformentalhealth?”

Dr.Shimoni-“Theadviceisprobablymoretothehealthcaresystem.Ibelievethatmosthealthcare providerswanttotakethetimetolistentotheirpatients,butthattimeisnotaffordedtothem.When youhavelittletime,you’renotlikelytoaskopenendedquestionsthatleadtounderstandingand consequentadvocacy.Youmight

limitthosequestions.Asystemthatpermitsgreaterengagementcouldleadtogreaterengagementand advocacy.”

Temitope-“Ourthemeforthisissueis“InThisMoment,”givingstudentsaplacetobeable toartisticallyexpressthechallengesofbeingamedicalstudentinanever-changingworldor whatever“InThisMoment”maymeantothem.Doyouhaveanyfinaladviceofpersonal wellnessformedicalstudents?”

Dr.Shimoni-“Beinginthemomentistryingtobepresentwithwhatishappeningnow,notwhat happenedyesterdayorwhatwillhappentomorrow.Thatcouldmeantakingawalkandlisteningonly tobirdsoundsoritcanmeaneatingamealandfocusingonthefoodwithoutdistraction. More globally,it’simportanttofocusonwhat’spresentinfrontofus–learningfromwhathappened yesterdaybutnotperseveratingendlesslyaboutit;makingaplanfortomorrow,butnotlettingfear andworst-casescenariosparalyze.Breathingexercises,evenforaminuteortwo,giveouramygdalathe messagethatasaber-toothtigerisnotchasingus,andalmostimmediatelymoveusawayfroman anxiousflight-or-fightresponsetoonethatismoreintentionalandproductiveforourwellness.

Temitope–“ThankyouforyourtimeDr.Shimoni,itisgreatlyappreciated!”

Dr.Shimoni–“Thankyou!”

BeneaththeSurface.

By:ReniForer

Wesitacrossfromeachother.Awoodentablebetweenus,overlaidwiththedark expanseofyouremotions.Anoceanoffathomlessdepthsliesperfectlystill,ignorant totheconceptofwind.Wearestandinginasmalllifeboattogether,staringdownatits glassysurface.

Welockeyesforabreath.Two.Thenmyeyesflittothewindow,answeringan uncontrollableurge.

F#@k.

Ilookbacktoyou.Wonderifyoufelttheshiftintheroom,the1.0Richterscale quakethatchangedthebalanceofpowerbetweenus.Ormaybeit’sjustme. Overthinking.Again.

Adeepbreath.

Afocusonthismoment.

So,tellmeabouthowyou’refeelingtoday?

Theairhangsheavy.Iwatchasyoufidgetwithyourhands,twitchingasifyouwantto reachouttograbsomething.Perhapsyou’rewishingforabasketball.Oryourphone. Orsomeone’shandtohold.Nowit’syourgazethatwanders,restless,searchingforan escapefromthisconversation.

Iresisttheurgetofillthesilence,allowingittolingerandsitdownwithus.Silenceisa newfriendtome,butoneI’mbecomingmorecomfortableinvitingover.Morewilling towelcomeintomyconversationswithothers.Itwrapsaroundyoulikeasecond hoodie.Thetickingoftheclockonthewallmarksafewseconds.Theyfeellike minutes.

Idunno,youshrug.

Thestillwatersbelowusripple.Ifeelacutelyawareofthedelicatebalanceinourtiny craft.Itfeelslikeasinglemisstepwilltipusbothintotheinkywaters.

Okay,Imuse,youcantakeaminutetothinkaboutit.Letmeknowwhenyoufeellike youhaveanidea.

Westareateachotheragain.Iwonderwhatliesbeneaththesurface,whatcurrent streamsripthroughtheconfinesofyourmind,whatcreatureslieforgotteninthe depthsofacrevasse.Itseemslikeyouhaven’tgoneswimminginalongtime,sticking tothenarrowcoastalongthefringes,afraidtoevenstickatoein.Partofmelongsto divein,toswimdownevendeeper,andexplorethemysteriesalongsideyou.ButI knowthatsuchjourneysrequirepreparation.Youwillneedoxygen,toknowhowto breathe,howtocallforhelp,howtofindyourwaybackup.

Iamremindedofthefragilityofhumanconnection,thefleetingnatureofour interactions.Iamstruckbytheprofoundintimacyofthisexchange,tobeoneofthe firstpeopletositwithyouinthisboat.

Andso,Iwait.Mostlypatiently,alittleexpectantly,foryoutodecideifyouarewilling totestthewaters.Together.

CardiacPathology

By:RachelTreat

Ileftmyfamilyanddearestfriends

Movedthousandsofmiles

Formylife’slove

Underhisfalseassurances

Underhissweetnothings

Perhapsfornothing.

4yearslyinginhisbedoflies

Andheleftmetheretolie Inhers.

Myloverleftmeforanother.

3weeksbeforethecolossal Mostimportant

8hourexam Ofmylife.

2monthsbeforethe Neverending Mountainclimb

Ofclinicalrotations.

1versionofmyself

WhoIwillneverbeagain, Asshewasburnedalive Uponthefuneralpyre. 0.

Iflatlined.

Idesaturated. Iexpired.

Warpedandtransformed Bythelongevityof Anagging,gnawing Relentless,raw Twisting,torturous Destructive,debilitating Betrayal.

Anecrosisoftheheart, Acardiacpathology. Iignoredthewound. Allowedittofester. Leftthepainuntended Amidstthedemandsandbusyness.

Mywellness Asacrifice

Onthealtar Ofefficiency.

Awalkingdead Servingtheliving

Ongraveyardshifts Dayandnight.

Byday, Myproductivityflourished Mysmileunfaltering Myfocuslasercrisp Myevaluations,Honors.

Bynight,

Mybitternessbrokemeintopieces

Myrageswallowedthemwhole Mysorrowwashedthemdown Mydespairscatteredtheremains.

WasItwo-faced? Orbrokenentirelyintwo?

Howdophysiciansgrieve?

Howdohealersheal?

Howdowetendtoourcosmic Heartachesandlosses

Whenthedemandsofpatients Loomoverheadandbreathedown, Threateningtobealastgasp, Withournamesengravedonthechart?

Mygratitudeisnowafragileflame Imustshieldfrom

Thewindandrainofmyeveryday. I’veknowntruelove Inmyimaginationanddreams. Idealizationisforfools.

Hopeintheaftermathisforthebrave.

Mymarred,scarredheart

Startedtotoywiththathope. Aseedwithwhich Imightbegin Togrowandbloomagain. Wasthereabetterway? Aneasierpath?

Howshouldphysiciansgrieve?

Pulling Strings

By: Rachel Treat

AmidstthechaosofmedicaltrainingIfindmyselfrevisitingoneofmyfavorite cellolessons:thecrucialroleofrestsinmusic.Allowingthesilencetofillasoundspace justasmuchasthereverberatingnotes.Feelingthebreadthandsignificanceofthesilence justasmuchasthemelody.Spacetobreathe.Spacetorelishwhat’sbeenplayedforjusta momentlonger.Spaceforanticipationofwhat’snexttobuild.Thecontrastofsilence andsoundiswhatgivesasongsuchcaptivatingbeautyandpersonality.Thenotescan’t behurried,otherwisethecollectivewholelosesitsgravity.Withoutanecessarypausefor rest and silence, the rhythm of life can be overly frenzied. So too, in the therapeutic settingofpatientandprovider.Withitstendercadencecomesconnectionandhealing.So too, in the story of each of our lives. With silence for pause and reflection comes a mindfulappreciationofthegrandinterludesthatcompriseouroverarchingjourney.I maynothavemycellowithmeinDC,butIwillforeverbeastudentofitsstrings.

Artist Note: A collage piece inspired by many of my patients who are calling out for help in various ways but are unable to be heard in the busyness that surrounds us all.

UnFunctionallyDepressed

By:OsaiyaokoSylviaOmozee

Don’tcomparehertosunshineandroses, whenshe’sclearlyorchidsandmoonlight.

-MelodyLee

She’sSick.

Butnotthekindofsickthatmeritstelevisionadscampaigningforchange.Anddefinitelynotthekindof sickthatforces peopletoturnuptheirnosesindisgust.She’salsonotthekindofsickthatrequiresa complicatedsurgicaloperation.

But,sheissick.

Sittinginclasssurroundedbyothermedicalstudentsshe’sasked:“Howdoyoufeelaboutmedical school?”

Apensivereply,“Igenuinelyhateithere,Ijust-”

She’scutoffbyacacophonyofprotests.

“Noway,youarealwaysparticipatinginclass”

“YoutalktoALLLLoftheprofessors”

“I-“

“HaveyouseenJohn?NowHEhatesithere”

“Youarealwayssmiling;youLOVEmedicalschool.”

Shetunesoutthenoiseandrecedesintoherhead.Theconversationcontinues,butwhateverisbeing saidisbeyondher.

She’ssufferingfromwhatthoseinthemedicalfield,ourfield,callpersistentdepressivedisorder.Big name.Butsheprefers thecolloquialterm:Functionallydepressed.Whichtohermeans,shefunctionsalmostnormallydespiteherdepression. Everyday,shemanagestowakeup,puttogetherafireoutfit, study,seefriends,tutor,mentor,leadclubs,eat,workout,sleep, andrepeat.Allusuallywithasmileon.

Thisisthewayshecarriesherselfintheworld.Withconfidencethatcutsthroughthechaosandagrinthatlightsupthenight sky,likethemoon,cursedtoreflectlightwithoutitsownpowersourcetokeepit warm.Shefloatsthroughcrowdshoping thatinreflectingthelightofothersshewillfindherplacein thesky.

Butshedoesn’t.

Instead,hersmilebecomesaweaponshewields.Allowinghertoeffortlesslyweavewordsof admonishmentor self-deprecationwithasmilebecauseshe’sobviouslykidding.Questionthespaceshe takesupwithasmile,sotheydon’t noticethenerves.Sheasksfirmlyforthehelpsheneeds,butwitha smilesoweoverlookherpain.Sadnessdoesn’tquitehitthe sameonthefaceofabubblygirl,butitcuts justasdeep.

Andwithsadnesssheiswellacquainted.

Thediagnosisisrecent,justoverayearold,butshethinksshehasfeltthiswayherwholelife.Sheused tobelieveshecould bottleitup.Slowlycollectingemotions,slights,digs,insecuritiesinaboxdeepin thebackofhermindnevertobeaddressed. LikethetimeshewascalledintotheDean’sofficebecause she’dmissedamandatoryclasswhilesearchingforanew therapist.Shepackagedthatrightup.Unable toexplaintheabsenceandrefusingtofeeltheshame.

Whenherburdensweretoobig,shejustbuiltabiggerbox.Whensheranoutofspace,shelearnedto dedicateonedaya year,adialysisofsorts,toexpellingherdemons.

Onthosedays,shewouldwakeupalmostlikeherselfandthen,slowly,somethingwouldshift.Anoffhandedcomment usuallyeasilyshakenwouldlinger,withoutawaningcrescentaswarning.Ablackhole emergingfromthetoolargeboxes readytoconsumeeverythinginitspath.

She’dretreattoherroom,shuttheblinds,andcryuntiltherewerenotears,allowingherselftofeelthe gravityofeverything. Thepressureofbeingafirst-generationimmigrant,collegestudent,medical student.Theinsecuritiesofneverquitefeeling blackenough,orNigerianenough,orwomanenough,or smartenough,orloudenough.Theembarrassmentofallthe wronganswersproudlygiven.Theweight ofthemarginalizedpatientsshecannothelp,whoneedhernow.Theterrorof tryingtovisualizea futureshecan’tquitepictureherselfin.Shefeelseverything--andshecries.

Anditfeelsgood.Itfeelssogood.

Sheletshertearsstainthesatinsheetsthatprotectherhairasshecries.Thenextday,shewakesup brandnew.Blackhole gone,boxesemptyandreadytocollectanewyear’sworthoftrauma.

Theproblemissheneverknowswhichofthe365daysoftheyearwillbeTHATday.Aweekendisgreat. Easytohide andmoveonwithoutpeopletoexplainto.Butwhenitstrikesatworkorschool,hersilence scarespeople.Theydon’t knowwhattodowhenthegirlwhowalkslikeshecarrieslightningwithinher veinssuddenlygoesmutewiththeeffortof holdingbacktears.Theeffortofnotlettingherillnessinfectherwork,herfamily,herfuture.

“Areyouokay?”Theyaskinhushedtonesbetweenlectures.

Asimple,“yes”iseasierthanexplainingtheno.

So,shebottlesheremotionsupjustalittlebitlonger,hopingthatshecanmakeittothesolaceofher home.Hopingthat shecanstayandsoothethestormthathersicknessdesigns.Somehowcalmthe trashingwavesdespiteher gravitationalpull.Butthereisdangerinthewaiting.Eachhourof postponedreleaseturnsintoanextradayofgrieving. Anextradayofherbeingacutelyawareofthe illnessthatshehassocarefullyhidden.

Themoonwasnevermeanttoshineonitsown,butthathasneverbeenaweakness.Shetoomustlearn toamplifyasshe reflectshersurroundings.Goodteachersbarrow,greatteacherssteal,butthemoon-hermentor-transforms.Takingthe sun’sharshraysandretransmittingtheminawaythatis unimaginableasanythingotherthanmoonlight.The moondoesn’tjustreflect,itharnesses,avisionall itsown.Withphasessodeeplyheldthatwecelebrateeachmonth’srebirth ofthefullmoon.Butin ordertogetthere…wehavetosurvivethedarkness.

Andso,sheebbsandflows.Discoveringherownrevolutionsasshelearnstobefearlessinthereceding andjoyfulinthe growthbecausejustasshebecomesasliver…hercyclebeginsagain.

• I decided to keep dialysis. I remembered why I changed it. Dialysis isn’t a cure and neither are her yearly meltdowns. Rather it’s a way for her to expel the toxicity her body doesn’t naturally process. Therapy in this case would be a more permanent treatment and there is mention that she has started seeing a therapist, but for now, she continues her toxic cycle. She isn’t

moon yet.

By:PreethashreeAnbukkarasu

By:PreethashreeAnbukkarasu

By:MichelleKarpenos

ArtistNote:IhavebeentakingartclassessinceIwasfouryearsoldandhavealwaysfoundpeaceandcomfort inpainting.Paintinghasallowedmetoexpressmyselfincountlesswaysthroughexperimentationwithcolors, texturesandtechniques.Thisworkwascreatedformybrother,whoisstartinghiscardiologyresidencythis summer.ItsignifiesnotonlytheloveandadmirationIhaveforhim,butthestrongbondwehave.Theheart representsconnectedness,andtheboldcolorswerechosentoshowitsmovement.

tobeachild

By:MelissaChen

he is crouched, knees hugging his chest a small, joyous figure with a brown mop of hair and a toothy smile.

“these are my toys,” he said, animatedly raising his arm with his eyes alight with some kind of wonder unbeknownst to me.

he rambles on, something about minecraft and legos and food and the troubles of school, and we laughed together, i the bigger and he the smaller yet the wiser.

Submission

Series: Amy Y. Kim

LearningfromLoss

By:SiddharthPrasad

“Doyouhaveanyfamilyhistoryofmedicalconditions?”

“Myfatherjustpassedawayafteraheartattack.” “I’msosorrytohearthat.”

It’ssooftenweasmedicalstudentsencountermomentslikethesewhile collectinghistoriesintheclinicorhospital.Asdatagathererstaskedwithrunning downawidearrayofquestionsonanynumberofpatientsintheday,itcanvery quicklyshiftgearstoautopiloteveninourearlyphaseofclinicaltraining.Itcan evenmoreabruptlyshifttoneasweperfunctorilyrunthroughourHPI,casually openingdoorsbehindwhichmaylieatremendousamountofpain.Ofcourse,it’s nofaultofourown;it’sourresponsibilitytoaskdifficult,personalquestionsand gathercrucialfamilyhistorythataffectsourpatients’care.ButIcanthinkof multipleoccasionswhereIwishI’dbeenlessroboticwhenaskingquestionslike this.Iregrettednothavingtherightwordstosaywhenmypatientswouldshare painasunthinkableasthelossofalovedone.

Afterafewback-to-backmomentslikethisearlyinmedicalschool,Imadea concertedefforttobemoremindfulofthewayIaskseeminglyinnocuous questionsandtobemoreconsciousofmybodylanguagewhenpatientssharethe burdenofloss.However,Istillfeltlikemyapologeticrepliesandbriefmomentsof silenceweresuperficialatbest–I’dneverexperiencedlosslikethisbefore,sohow couldIpossiblyunderstand?Withoutgivingitfurtherthought,I’dsimply continuewithmyhistorytaking.

Forthesepatientsandperhapssomeofyoureadingthis,theworstdayof theirlivesmaybebehindthem;formany,theworstdayliessomewhereinthe future,asominous asthatmaybe.Forme,thatdayfellinOctoberof2023. Tragicallyandunexpectedly,Ilostmyyoungerbrother.As“twinbrothers fourteenmonthsapart,”wewereinseparablegrowingup,andinaninstant,my bestfriendandourbelovedbabyofthefamilywastakenfromus.Heartbroken andshell-shocked,Ifeltasiftheworldwascrumblingaroundus.

Inthechallengingweeksandmonthsthatfollowed,Iwasendlesslygrateful tobesurroundedbyalovingcommunityoffriendsandfamilywholiftedusup, givingusthestrengthtopersevere.Mostaskedus,“Howareyoufeeling?”Veryfew asked,“Whathappenedtohim?”Everyonewhorushedtobewithusduringthat excruciatingtimehadonlythepurestofintentionsandourwellbeingatheart. However,muchlikeintheclinic,itcanbeanimpossibletasktoevenknowwhatto saytoagrievingindividual.It’sonlynaturalthatwereflexto“fillingthesilence”; weseektomakesenseofthetragedy.It’ssimplyhumancuriosity.Buthavingbeen onthereceivingendofwell-meaning,albeitprying,questionsforthefirsttimeof mylife,Igainedapainfullydeepunderstandingofwhatliesbehindthatdoor.

Afterafewmonthsofhealingathomewithmyfamily,Ireturnedto completemyremainingrotationswithanexperiencethatatthispointfeltsurreal. Throughserendipity,orperhapsahigherforceImayneverunderstand,onmy seconddayofclinicsincereturningtoschool,Ihadanunforgettablepatient encounterthatremindedmethisverymuchdidhappen—thatI’moneofmillions aroundtheworldwhosuddenlyexperienceslossatanygivenmoment.

Duringtheearlyafternoonofapleasantlyuneventfuldayatouroutpatient psychclinic,ourteamwasinformedthattheopenspotontoday’sschedulehad justbeenbookedforanemergencysame-dayappointment.Thiswasquiteunusual, atleastforourclinicalsite.MyheartsankwhenIsawthechiefcomplaintlistedas “AcuteGrief.”WhenMs.Barrived,Iimmediatelyrecognizedthepaininherpuffy redeyesandcrestfallenappearanceonalevelIwishIneverunderstood.Through sobs,shesharedwithusthelossofheryoungersister.Icouldvividlyimaginethe sleeplessnightshemusthaveenduredandthemanymorerestlessnightsshewill experience.Priortoherarrival,ourresidenthaddecidedtotaketheleadgiventhe natureofthechiefcomplaint.Asaseasonedpsychiatristatthispoint,hecreateda safespaceforourpatienttoshareheremotionalburden,hepausedatthe appropriatemoments,andheprovidedareassuringandcalmingpresence.Butat theendoftheday,heisaphysicianwithaproblemtoaddress,andinthatmoment, hefeltcompelled,likeanygooddoctorwould,tointervene.Whatotherreason wouldapatienthavetoseekoutmedicalcare?

Afterhearingherstory,heshiftedthediscussiontomedicationsthatmight helpwithsleepandchangestoherpre-existingmedicationsthatmayhelpher mood.Iunderstoodhisdecisioncompletely,butasIfelttheendofour appointmentdrawnearerwithouthavingtrulyacknowledgedthepainthatwas shared,Ifeltanoverwhelmingsensationtosaysomething.Asastudentaspiringto pursuepsychiatry,Iknewjusthowtremendouslyvaluablemedicationscanbe,but asanotherindividualwholostasibling,Iknewthatnodrughealsanachingheart orcurestheagonyofloss.Idon’tconsidermyselfparticularlyspontaneous,butI feltthatifIremainedsilentinthatmoment,Iwouldregretit.Soaswewrapped up,IaskedmyresidentifIcouldwalkwithMs.Bouttotheregistrationdesk, whichhehadnoissuewith.

WewalkedafewstepsdownthequiethallwaywhenIsuddenlyfoundthe correctwordstosay–thistimetheyassembledalmostautomaticallyandflowed frommeeffortlessly.ItoldMs.BthatwhileI’llneverknowherparticularpain,I toldherit’sokay,evennecessary,tofeelwhatshe’sfeeling.IsharedwithherthatI wasinhershoesjustafewmonthsprior,andthatwhilethatachenevertrulygoes away,itdoesgraduallyfadewithtimeandthroughexpressingourfeelings.Shewas initiallystunned,butIcouldsenseglintsofhopeinherasIsharedthis.Bytheend ofourconversation,sheevenmusteredupalaugh,jokinglysaying,“SoI’mnot crazyright?”Inthatmoment,weweremorethanjustproviderandpatient–we weretwocompletestrangersbondedbyasharedlivedexperience.

Fortherestofourcareers,we’llneedtoaskthosedifficult,personal questions,andeachandeveryoneofuswilleventuallytreatagrievingpatient. WhileIdon’tbelieveweneedtoexperiencelosstonavigatethedifficulttaskof discussinggrief,Ihopemyexperiencecanprovideyouwithadeeperappreciation fortheweightwordscancarryandfortheimmensepowerinpursuingyourgut feeling.I’msothankfulIseizedthatopportunityonthatTuesdayattheclinic, becauseIwasabletoprovideahurtingsoulatleastamomentofcomfortand reassurancethatitispossibletoheal.

Takeastepback. Breatheintheair!

Takeastepback.

Thetestsandthediagrams.

Theendlessoceanofinformation.

Stuffedinourbrains.

Aconstantoverflowing.

Takeastepback.

Rememberwhoandwhatyouare. Theworldalwaysspinning. Earthandnatureeverlasting.

Connectionsformingandheartsbreaking.

Takeastepback. Warswillbefought. Everysinglebattleonlyasmallpart. Asmallpartofbillions. Timeisbutaconcept.

Takeastepback. Lookaround.

Thereismore.

Thesmallandthelarge.

Allbutanoteinthecomposition.

By:EliseKao

Takeastepback.

Anddonotletyourpresentoverwhelmyou. Therewillbemore. Therewillbeconnection. Butfirst, Takeastepback. Andbreatheintheairaroundyou.

ArtbyAuthor

“Expectations”

By:AyeshaTariq

Nobodyeverwarnsyouaboutthehiddencurriculum. Theydon’tteachthatinmedicalschool. Youdon’tknowaboutituntilyou’reonrotations, whereyou’retestedforanexam,youneverpreparedfor.

Theexpectationstheytellyouareonlyhalfthetruth. Theotherhalfyou’renevertold. Andthat’stheintroductionIgot totheworldwhereI’dbespendingtherestofmylifein.

Youmustmeettheirexpectationsbutalsoknowtheircaveatstoo.

You’reexpectedtobesmart,butnotthesmartestintheroom. You’reexpectedtobeefficient,butnotsomuchastomakeotherslookinefficient. You’reexpectedtobefriendlybutnotsomuchastolooklikeyou’refawning.

Ifyou’reawoman,youhaveevenmoreexpectations: Youmustknowwhatyouwant,butnotbedemanding. Youcanaskquestionsbutknowwhentostop. You’reexpectedtosmileandengage,buttoknowyourplace. Andyoumuststroketheegosofmen,whilebefriendingthewomen.

Youmusttakesomefeedbackthataredisguisedasconstructive, Butaremorecriticalnegatives,morehumiliatingthanproductive. Youmustendureanymistreatmentandharassmentquietly.

Thisisthewelcomepackagemeantforstudents.

Thesearetheexpectationsyoudidn’tknowabout, Thatnobodyevertalksabout. Thesearetheexpectationsthatfeellikeatest. Atestthatfeelsunfair,unbalanced,andmanipulative…attimes.

Andsoyoucautiouslywalkthetightropeofexpectations, Tryinghardnottoupsetthebalance. Thisistherequiredhazing,theinitiation meanttogetintothiselite,exclusiveclubofphysicians.

Thehiddencurriculumwithitsveiledandendlessexpectations, withitsunwrittenrulesthatsomeone,somewheremadeup. Theseexpectationsandrulescreatedsothatstudentswouldcontinuetohavetoprovethemselves asiftheyhadn’tdoneenoughuptothispointtobeworthytobeletin.

Andonceyou’vecrossedthethreshold, Somehowmanagingtomeettheexpectationsandfollowtheirrules, Whatyouseebehindthedoorsofthistight-knit,membersonlyclub Islessimpressivethanyouhadimagined.

Andyouwonderwhatthepurposeofthoseobstacleswere. Youwonderwhymedicinehastobesoexclusive. Youwonderwhymedicineisn’tmoreinclusive, noteventothosestudyingitandpracticingit.

Andyoudon’tunderstandhowitgottobethiswayorwhyitevenhastobe thisway.

Tomyfuturepatient:

By:JanePark

Hello.Ihopeyourdrivetothehospitalwasmanageable.Iamgladthatyoucame in.Iwonderwhatitisthatbroughtyouintoday.Thetimeittookyou,fromthe dayyouyourselforsomeoneelsefoundyoutroubledtothismomentthatyou madeithere-howhasitbeen?

Howhasyoursleepbeen?Howareyourmeals?Haveyoubeensmilingmostly? Orhaveyoubeencrying?Howareyoutoleratingthethingsthatmakeyou weary?Howareyoucherishingthemomentsthatmakeyoulaugh?

Ihearallthethingsthathavehappenedtoyou.Iseehowtheyhaveaffectedyou.I sensethatyouareasurvivor.IwishIcouldpressabuttontowalkthroughyour lifefromthemomentyouwerebornupuntiltoday,andreliveitonyourbehalf,so Icanfigureoutexactlywhatandwhyyouaresuffering.IwishIhadtheskillsto decodeyourbraintothemolecularlevelsoIcanpinpointspecificrisksandcauses foryourmentalsuffering.IwishIownedatime-controllingremotetotest multiplehypothesesinayear’sspantofindmedicationsthatcancureyourmental illness.IwishIownedatimemachinetoseekintothefutureandbringthe treatmentsthatcureyourconditionandkeepitinremission.

ButtodayIsitherewithathousandandonequestions,andlessthananhour,to learnasmuchasIcanaboutyou.Notimemachines,nore-livingmagic,butjust mypenandapieceofpaper.Iamplanningtoaskyoutoletmeinonyourjourney. IwilltellyouthatIwillbehereforyou,withwhattreatmentswehavefornow, thathaveworkedformanybutnotforall,andnotalwaysimmediately.TodayI willaskforyourpatience.TodayIwillaskforyourhope.AndthoughIdonotsay itoutloud,IwillpromisesilentlythatIwilltothebestofmyabilityprovideyou withthetreatmentthatyouverymuchdeserve.

Views Submission Series: Jaskaran Singh Dhillon

Shot in Los Angeles, California (Getty Center)

Contemplate

Shot at National Gallery of Art,

Symmetry

Shot in Udaipur, India

ThisMoment:

AReflectiononLossandResilienceintheEmergencyRoom

By:JaysonWild

Inthismoment,fromtheresidentstationintheEmergencyDepartmentIheartheEMS radio.Atwo-year-oldboyhadbeenfoundinacanal;theywereattemptingtoestablishan airway;ETAwas5minutes.Ihaven’tparticipatedinarescuefordrowning,andtheattending physicianrecommendsitwouldbeagoodcaseformetoseeasamedicalstudent.Oncethe ambulancearrives,Ifollowhimtotheroomwhereacrowdofparamedics,nurses,andthe pediatricianattempttoresuscitatethechild.Histinyformreceiveschestcompressionswith littleresponse.WithinafewshortmomentsIamovercomeandpullaway,unabletograpple withthetragicscenebeforeme.

Myownson...Inthismoment,mymindimmediatelyconnectsmyownprecious two-year-oldboyandthisunknownchild.Welaterlearnhowhehadslippedoutofthehouse whenhismomwasupstairs,andcuriositybroughthimtothewater.Mymindflashestowhen myownboyhaddonethesame,asmanyindependentandcurioustoddlersdo.Theyarenatural escapeartists.Inthismoment,Iamdrawnbacktojustafewshortmonthspriorwhenwe foundtheopendooranddashedoutsideshoutinghisname.Wealsolivebyasmallpondand ourmindshadjumpedtotheworst-casescenario,whichisnowunfoldingbeforemeinthe hospitalroom.“Heissafe,”Itellmyself.“Myboyishomewithhismotherandbabybrother. Thischildisnotmyson.”Butinthismoment,thetwobecomeone.

Overthefollowinghoursanddays,akaleidoscopeofemotionsenvelopemeasIbear witnesstothisheartbreakingevent.Thecriesofhisparentsandfamilyringinmyears.Inthe chaoticsymphonyoftheemergencyroom,thecoldsterilityofmedicalprotocolsclasheswith thewarmthofhumanvulnerability.Inthismomenttherelentlessbeepingofmachines underscoresthefragilityoflife,astarkreminderthat,inthismoment,thelinebetween existenceandeternityispainfullythin.

Inthismomentofsharedhumanity,theboundariesbetweenphysicianandparentblur. Thegrievingparents,theirfacesetchedwithunimaginablesorrow,becomeamirror,reflecting myownfearsandvulnerabilities.Theresonancebetweentheirlossandmyownpotentialfor tragedyservesasatokenoftheuniversalityofhumansuffering.

Intheaftermathofthisfatefulencounter,Ifindsolaceintheresilienceofthehuman spirit,manifestingthroughtheunwaveringdedicationofthemedicalteam,thegentle reassuranceofanurse,andthequietstrengthofthechild’sparentsgrapplingwitharealityno oneshouldendure.Itisatestamenttotheenduranceofthehumansoulandthecollective effortsthatsustainusthroughourdarkestmoments.

tickita-tickita-tickita-ting

By: Hada Fongha Ieong

In this tropical island rain stops the sun shines the garden table on campus where I usually hide from the crowd between lecture vibes This morning. Epithelium. Oh my

Squamous when full

Cuboidal when empty

Why is this dome-shaped cell layer thin-skinned to invasions, notorious for turning into urothelial carcinoma rare but there, urinary bladder hamartoma?

Industrial toxicants political spells affect aquarians amphibians avians but terrestrial power somehow somewhere invading human bladders so as bladders of others living in this same stratified sphere

Too big the problem

How little am I In this moment I put the bladder slides aside Have a quiet lunch break, May I?

Here it comes tickita-tickita-tickita-ting I turn to this radiant, musical ring note striking my strings

A black, bold, buddy Carib Grackle joins me to this Caribbean table

Those yellow eyes want the rice I know

tickita-tickita-tickita-ting calling on a friend who mimics tickita-tickita-tickita-ting

This creature smaller than a human fist has a voice so potent that humans can’t resist In this moment, we put the world problems aside Have lunch together, Shall we?

Time treat thyself like a king Tickle teaspoon then we sing tickita-tickita-tickita-ting

TheForegonePath

By:IndhuRammohan

By:KatarinaMilosavljevic

Itwasonanafternoonwalkabroadwheretheskytransitionedintoabeautiful vibrantcolorpalette.ThismomentnotonlyhumbledmeasIwitnessedthebeauty ofnatureinitsfullforce,butalsobyhowquicklyarainy,gray,"doomed"daycould transformintoaninspiringlandscape.Thisremindedmethatthesamelesson appliestootheraspectsoflife:fromthepoliticalclimate,economy,environment,to eventhementalhealthcrisiswefaceintheUnitedStates.Bothnatureandlifeare everchangingandtheselittlemomentsinspiremetohavefaithintheunexpected beautythatcanappearwhenweleastexpectit.

TheLastSip

By:NiyatiPanchal

“TheLastSip”shedslightontheconflictingnatureofaddiction.Havingafamily memberwhofacedtheirdailybattleswiththedisease,Isawthenuancesoftheir relationshipwiththeirsubstance.Inmypoem,thepersonspeaksofdrinking alcohol toforgethislover.Butaswereadmore,hebeginstodrinkjusttorememberthe presenceandfragranceofhislover.Theconflictingnatureofwhy heisdrinking shedslightonthehighandthemanyreasonsonemakestoachieve it.Thereasons whyoneindulgesinasubstancebecomesconvoluted.Asthe poemprogresses,itisas ifheisachievinghishigh.Delvinginthedepthsofhis ownconsciousnessandletting goofalllogicalreasoning.Hisreasonforhislastsipsoonturnsintothediametrical oppositeofwhyhetookhisfirstsip.