2018 Literary Contest Winners!
We would like to thank everyone who entered the contest and congratulate our winners!
1st Place: Chelsea Life, Florida State University College of Medicine
2nd Place: Anonymous
3rd Place: Bryan Pacheco, Florida State University College of Medicine
1st Place: Chelsea Life, Florida State University College of Medicine
2nd Place: Anonymous
3rd Place: Bryan Pacheco, Florida State University College of Medicine
Forces of Nature
by Chelsea S. Life
One woman faces discrimination,
staring up at her glass ceiling.
She knows the odds are up against her;
the prospect leaves her reeling.
Another struggles to balance it all-
care for her kids, finish the manuscript on time.
She clutches onto her third cup of coffee,
convincing herself she can meet that deadline.
A girl marches in Washington,
making her voice heard.
She holds up her sign and shouts for equal rights-
the freedoms all women deserve!
Standing in the hospital, a woman rings the bell,
celebrating her improved condition.
She knew she could beat cancer, and here she was,
rejoicing in her newfound remission.
Throughout our endeavors, we question ourselves,
“Am I equipped to handle this strife?”
We push ourselves forward, trudging ahead,
seeking the most we can get from life.
Sisters, we are strong,
unstoppable forces of nature.
Let us join hands and stand together!
United, we will forge our future.
by Chelsea S. Life
One woman faces discrimination,
staring up at her glass ceiling.
She knows the odds are up against her;
the prospect leaves her reeling.
Another struggles to balance it all-
care for her kids, finish the manuscript on time.
She clutches onto her third cup of coffee,
convincing herself she can meet that deadline.
A girl marches in Washington,
making her voice heard.
She holds up her sign and shouts for equal rights-
the freedoms all women deserve!
Standing in the hospital, a woman rings the bell,
celebrating her improved condition.
She knew she could beat cancer, and here she was,
rejoicing in her newfound remission.
Throughout our endeavors, we question ourselves,
“Am I equipped to handle this strife?”
We push ourselves forward, trudging ahead,
seeking the most we can get from life.
Sisters, we are strong,
unstoppable forces of nature.
Let us join hands and stand together!
United, we will forge our future.
White Coat
by Anonymous
Everyone has problems, illnesses, ailments,
Except the ones in the white coats.
Patients talk of depression, anxiety, PTSD,
But not the ones in the white coats.
A white coat is an eraser,
It rids it's bearer of all weakness.
Nothing resides beneath a white coat,
Except brains, ears, and hands.
Or so I thought.
My white coat didn't shield me,
From sexual assault.
It didn't dissolve the emotion,
Nor did it negate the pain.
The robots under the white coats,
Can feel feelings too.
A white coat isn't a superpower,
But it is a shell that many hide in.
The first thing patients see,
Might be the unstained white coat.
But what they will remember,
Might be the human underneath.
by Anonymous
Everyone has problems, illnesses, ailments,
Except the ones in the white coats.
Patients talk of depression, anxiety, PTSD,
But not the ones in the white coats.
A white coat is an eraser,
It rids it's bearer of all weakness.
Nothing resides beneath a white coat,
Except brains, ears, and hands.
Or so I thought.
My white coat didn't shield me,
From sexual assault.
It didn't dissolve the emotion,
Nor did it negate the pain.
The robots under the white coats,
Can feel feelings too.
A white coat isn't a superpower,
But it is a shell that many hide in.
The first thing patients see,
Might be the unstained white coat.
But what they will remember,
Might be the human underneath.
The Privilege of Another
by Bryan Pacheco
I feel it has been months, love,
and you’re far, dreaming something new,
but I’ve been here all this time,
in our living room, away from you.
Glancing looks at these pictures of past,
of what we love most,
I think I feel your hands in my white coat,
you make a most beautiful ghost.
And I know that this glow is the pale moonlight,
oh, how I adore it bathes your skin.
I’ve missed all these meals waiting,
I hope you forgive me for a late check in.
Give me a few hours, to continue this trekking on,
to my heart and our plans;
truth is, while you were saying goodnight,
I had memorized facts about parotid glands.
I hope you don’t mind living this double life,
I just need a little more time,
because all I endear is built between us
and losing you would be my greatest crime.
by Bryan Pacheco
I feel it has been months, love,
and you’re far, dreaming something new,
but I’ve been here all this time,
in our living room, away from you.
Glancing looks at these pictures of past,
of what we love most,
I think I feel your hands in my white coat,
you make a most beautiful ghost.
And I know that this glow is the pale moonlight,
oh, how I adore it bathes your skin.
I’ve missed all these meals waiting,
I hope you forgive me for a late check in.
Give me a few hours, to continue this trekking on,
to my heart and our plans;
truth is, while you were saying goodnight,
I had memorized facts about parotid glands.
I hope you don’t mind living this double life,
I just need a little more time,
because all I endear is built between us
and losing you would be my greatest crime.