Why — why did you die?
Your soul took to the sky
without a conscious goodbye
not even a gasp or a sigh
to signal your departure was nigh
Despite how hard I did strive
to keep the organs alive
within a body that could survive
the spirit would not thrive
so the vitals all nosedive
This cycle is by design
but I refused to see the signs
the stubbornness was mine
to think following each guideline
would surely prevent your decline
Your end was quite sublime
for you knew it was your time
no longer in your prime
death not some great crime
onward your spirit now climbs
Poetry Thursdays is an initiative that highlights poems by medical students. If you are interested in contributing or would like to learn more, please contact our editors.
Contributing Writer
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
Melissa Huddleston is a fourth-year medical student at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine in El Paso, Texas class of 2023. In 2016, she graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in informatics and a secondary major in classics. In 2018, she graduated from Baylor University with a Master of Public Health in community health education. She enjoys hiking, jumping rope, and reading. After graduating from medical school, Melissa would like to pursue a career in pediatrics.