LITERARY

“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him… We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth. – John F. Kennedy ”

Comparing lists

But this week I’m clean He said. You’re throwing me back to the streets He said. I just got my kids back He said. I thought you were here to help.

The wave of doubt Twisted my stomach in knots.

You need a higher level of care I said. You’re not taking the medicine I said. You’re using heroin anyway I said. It’s just our policy.

I had made a list - resolute, final, and unwavering I thought I knew what he would say …but he had made a list too.

We tried to look into each others eyes But the glances were fleeting.

The space between us lengthened A cough broke the silence. I’m letting him go…. Just like everyone else.

Matthew Christiansen, MD, MPH Department of Family Medicine, Division of Addiction Sciences Dr. Christiansen is a West Virginia native who is passionate about primary care and addiction medicine. He enjoys seeing patients, doing all-things outdoors, and spending time with his awesome one-year-old twin boys.

Why me?

It’s 2pm yet the world feels dark The blood of black men covers the cloud The tears of black women and children spilled on the street Treading carefully, I slipped into despair Why do you hate us? Is it because we endured slavery without going into extinction? Is it because of our strength that makes us excel in sports? Is it because of our creativity and talents in arts, music, dance that you so desire? Or our tan skin, full lips, and the swing in our hips? Why is my existence threatening? All I desire is to be left alone To grow from infancy into adulthood I don’t want to change the world Only to live and be loved Why won’t you let me breathe? Your knees stifled the air out of my lungs My cry for help becomes inaudible My body laid out for my kin to see Stay in line or you might be next Why is it always me?

Mercy Babatope | Class of 2021

1. Admitting you are vulnerable is not a weakness 2. Chocolate will be there 3. If you overstress and do poorly, you suffer twice 4. Calling home is a good place to start 5. The pants did not shrink 6. The best learning opportunities were the ones you didn’t have to write down 7. Gratitude is the best attitude 8. Life does not stop 9. Taking breaks is to work smarter 10. You will not have most of what you diagnose yourself with 11. Your people are proud

Deena Dahshan | Class of 2022

Before medical school, I enjoyed competing in Prose, Duo, and After Dinner Speaking. I’ve always loved word play and puns and am easily captivated by spoken word performances, written poetry as well as painting and photography. A doctor I shadowed as a first year med student had framed his work all over his clinic and his patients constantly commented on and felt strongly connected to these pieces of expression, inspiring me to do the same! I also enjoy spontaneous traveling, cooking new recipes, eating good food, weight lifting, and spending time with family and friends.

I close my eyes and see a little girl Wishing she’d grow faster Every morning, checking if the planted seed has become a tree. Counting leaves, counting inches, counting minutes The sentences she speaks are too fast for her tongue too big for her mouth Running around the room before they sprint between the finish line of her lips She models her mother’s heels too big for the soles of her feet Thinking her soul was too old for her little frame Told it was better not to be too big Not to be the Jack of Spades in Slap Jack, Always getting slapped and bruised by the world Calling out labels that would stick like the clingy child Not wanting her mother to abandon her on the first day.

The little girl goes every morning and learns rules Contemplating how she would fit in. Acceptance. She accepts that she will do her best. Her best dress was not as pretty as the other girls, she felt Her feelings are too enormous for the world, Wanting to encompass the universe in her thoughts. Excitement, hesitation, invigoration, heartbreak, doubt How can she be all at once. Like an amplifying melody chorus gaining new performers, Once the drums came, she caught on the rhythm. Her own pace, she grew. Opened her eyes and counted some more leaves. Almost blossoming. Hopeful.

Deena Dahshan | Class of 2022

The Building

Time had not done the old building any good. It had warped her – And changed her – Until it was generally understood… … That to venture in was beyond unsafe For the floors had rotten through. And There Really Wasn’t anything anyone could do.

Jamila Ranavaya, MD | Class of 2020

I’ve been writing poetry consistently since the 6th grade and prose for considerably longer. For me, writing is a fantastic stress reliever, a way to explore the world and work through the highs and lows of life. In terms of inspiration, my favorite poet is Walter de la Mare but I have also found inspiration in Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, and Emily Dickinson. As the oldest of five kids, I will forever be grateful to my family for listening to my writing over the years. I dedicate all of it to them.

Beautiful and Strange

I’d take the broken Bones Of Sticks and Stones Over the World’s Groans Or an Audience’s Moans.

For words are my skill, My trade, My thrill. The way I connect – - And truly feel.

So hit me. Break me. Rearrange me.

But leave me my tongue. To describe Moon, Star, and Sun, In equal turn, Upon the Stage, With Joy and Rage.

And in doing so remain

Human.

Creature Beautiful and Strange.

Jamila Ranavaya, MD | Class of 2020

ACROSS 1. ___ not now, when then 2. ___, I missed 3. ___ time is bathroom time 4. Croupy breath sounds 5. Coming tomorrow 7. Mediates erection 10. Legalese for “Regarding” 12. Acronym traditionally said by pimpees to pimpers after Match Day, i.e., _____ _____, buddy, I got my internship 14. Home of the Tar Heels 15. Marshallese for “consulting on case” 18. Needed to pull NG tube 19. Water mammal 20. __Ranchito - good place to eat if cafeteria closed 22. Xrays are on this 24. Buffoon 28. Can’t hear 29. You’ll see a lot of this next year 30. Toro ___ good place to eat in Ironton 32. Doctor of Nursing 33. Yo-Yo 34. Arbitrary limit 35. All the vowels 36. 3.14159 37. Polish Airways 39. Pittsburghese for “y’all” 41. Tiny Tim’s initials 43. Tennessee team’s name 44. Now ___ this 46. Mate for Ma 47. East Asian epidemic 48. International Assembly 49. Takes care of your patient

DOWN 1. ___Sina, also know as Avicenna (980-1037), famous physician 2. Why we scrub 3. How you feel on first day of internship 4. Resume 5. Pain receptor 6. Root of diaphragm 8. ___ thee I sing 9. Atrial ___ 11. ___ garde 13. Day (Heb.) 16. Joins oropharynx to stomach 17. Fourth years can relax (more) after this 20. Needed to hear this 21. God (Lat.) 22. What you are now (not God) 23. Sun God 25. Mrs. (Germ.) 26. Must get vaccinated for 31. Wow (Fren.) 33. Famous plastic surgeon (1971- ) 38. What you’ll be next month 40. Opposite of both 42. Saves your derriere 45. ___ you like it 50. ___ hear this 51. Working nights/weekends 52. Never say when patient awake 53. ___ Golden Pond 54. Good for breakfast

Lawrence M. Wyner, MD Professor, Department of Urology I am a professor of urology and have been a member of the JCESOM faculty since 2008. I owe my creative instincts to my students and colleagues here at Marshall!