They Say, I Say
They say you’re at the top of the class / I say I’m barely able to pass
Poetry Thursdays
Poetry Thursdays is our initiative to highlight poetry and prose by medical students, with a new post every Thursday. If you are interested in contributing or would like to learn more, please contact our editors.
Contributing Writer
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
My name is Bradley Maller and I am a member of the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine Class of 2020. I am from Largo, Florida and have a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Florida. When I'm not stressing about medical school, I enjoying playing and watching hockey (Go Lightning!).
If I Could
One thing bothers me: / Books are most of what we see. / Doctor-patient relationship — / Only mentioned in them, flip by flip.
My Heart Skipped a Beat
Just a glance of you was enough; / Rapid serotonin surge giving me great triumph. / Did my heart just skip a beat? / Giving me a premature contractile treat.
Forced Perspective
I know better. / I know nothing, and I am useless. / So don’t throw words at me insinuating that / I am knowledgeable.
If You Find Me
If there is an accident / And you find me / Don’t leave me / But hold my hand / Because I am scared
Constraints
Time for empathy. / Time for empathy? / Collect a complete psychiatric history. / Plus, medical history with dates of diagnosis and current medications.
A Heart
My heart is not a lacy valentine. / It is an anatomic pump / Engineered evolution / Strong walls of long runs
Married to Medicine
I dreamed of you when I was young / Open wide, stick out your tongue / A degree instead of a strong, young man . A future with stethoscopes was my plan
An Oath To Cancer
I wage war on you for you have let my eyes see; / I respect you, for you hold true to your decree. / But, I fight for those who lost purpose to your creed.
Days with a Daisy
Am I crazy? / I walk down the street and my ears fill with noises / And sometimes I run until my vision gets hazy.
My Choice
You say that it’s my choice? / So therefore I can choose? / I just cannot believe, / Those words you just used.
Stories
Life is a collection of stories / Housed within us all / Pages of precious memories / Plastered upon our walls
Medical Student Editor & Contributing Writer
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
Jane X. Liao is a class of 2019 medical student at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. She is a graduate of Cornell University with a B.S. in Biology and Society. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, playing board games, and watching the latest Marvel superhero movies.