Forget
Ajoba shuffles across the room towards aji, screaming / ‘Why do you ask the same questions over and over again?’ / ‘Why can’t you just try to remember?’ / ‘I forget’, she replies
Off the Shelf
Off the Shelf is our section for creative works by medical students.
Contributing Writer
University of Washington School of Medicine
I am a 3rd year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine. I grew up in India and Seattle and spent some time before med school doing research on family planning in India. I'm interested in writing about how medicine interfaces with culture, and I'm passionate about health equity and how we can help doctors be more human.
The Silver Bullet: A PTSD Story
A Silver Bullet / The tiny guns held by my little action figures / still remind me of that god forsaken trigger.
Putting Baby to Sleep
The mask on baby’s face / And he knew and didnt know what was going on; / He had blurred vision / And an amnestic cocktail coursing through his veins already
Hear My Song Reaper
I could see the scythe swinging from one eye to another / The Reaper hovered towards my room / Life had left me months ago, when I had first heard the news / Now I knew it would’ve been better, had I not left the womb
Anatomy as Art: Installation #15
At Albany Medical College, upon our orientation to gross anatomy, we are asked to draw our feelings on blank index cards prior to entering the cadaver laboratory. As we progress through the year, our sentiments regarding anatomy may remain the same, or may change, and these drawings allow us to look back at this milestone we crossed as budding medical students.
The Hidden Curriculum
“It’s time to wake up boss, please open your eyes. / There’s much work to be done and we’re ready to advise.” / Curiosity propelled me to confront my kooky staff. / One flipped through a dictionary, the other spoke on his behalf.
Abscess
Hunched over in your chair, / Guarding an abscess with apathy, / Your arm is swollen, angry, burning.
Dr. Tweet
Condolences drown in brevity; / Empathy, a hastened veneer; / Understanding lost to formality
Systemic Vascular Resistance
From deep below / layers and rings of earth / I feel the vibrations / Pulse
#OrlandoStrong
The University of Central Florida College of Medicine is located 20 miles from PULSE nightclub in Orlando, FL. This poem is dedicated to the victims, survivors and their families and to this beautiful community that will forever be #OrlandoStrong.
Anatomy as Art: Installation #14
At Albany Medical College, upon our orientation to gross anatomy, we are asked to draw our feelings on blank index cards prior to entering the cadaver laboratory. As we progress through the year, our sentiments regarding anatomy may remain the same, or may change, and these drawings allow us to look back at this milestone we crossed as budding medical students.
Opioids
It never ends / That pain / Running through my back in a huff
Writer-in-Training
Drexel University College of Medicine
Rohit is a second year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine. He graduated from Georgetown University in 2012, and then went on to teach reading to elementary school students for two years. After teaching, he worked in health policy for a year, and then matriculated to medical school. Currently, he is pursuing an MD/MPH degree and hopes to work in community health and harm reduction. He is passionate about health equity, LGBTQ rights, and racial justice. By far, his greatest skill is reciting lines from Pixar’s Up.