I know better.
I know nothing, and I am useless.
So don’t throw words at me insinuating that
I am knowledgeable.
I know the truth.
Because at the end of each day
I have nothing to contribute to my patients
And I’m not going to dwell on the lie that
I can make a difference in their well-being
Because who am I kidding?
I’m just a med student.
Even though
The patient appreciates my effort
I am still reminded of the fact that
With each suture thrown or dosage drawn
I slow down the resident and the attending
Regardless of whether
I try my best
So
It’s hard to believe that
I’m here to learn and grow
Nothing will change the fact that
I think of what lies ahead in the wards as a hindrance
Each morning when
I ask myself
What am I doing here?
(It’s so easy to think a certain way when you’re feeling DOWN.
But don’t forget those days when things are looking UP.
How you read it is all a matter of perspective.)
Poetry Thursdays is an initiative that highlights poems by medical students and physicians. If you are interested in contributing or would like to learn more, please contact our editors.
Contributing Writer
UC San Diego School of Medicine
Andrew is a fourth year medical student at University of California, San Diego SOM in La Jolla, CA, class of 2020. In 2013, he graduated from Dartmouth College with a Bachelor of Arts in history. He enjoys collecting vintage wristwatches and writing flash fiction. He is currently applying into emergency medicine.