Following Love

Time has been a ceaseless flow

Feels as though we just said “hello!”

This year is moving fast to be sure

But in my knowledge I’m very secure

From cancer, anemia and EKG

To arrhythmias, malaria and cardiac physiology

Flying through the Heme-Onc block

Truly was a race against the clock

But with support from professors and friends

I’m piecing together the beginnings and the ends

Of numerous disease pathologies

Juxtaposing our elegant biology

There’s still much to learn, this I concede

I’m pursuing my love, following its lead

But what separates today from the ones past

Is the start of tutoring at SciHigh at last

Jointly detangling the web of mysteries

Renewed my own passion for chemistry

The spark of understanding in her eyes

As we uncovered where her confusion lies

The flash of interest was reason enough

To delve deeper, past the basic to the tough

This joy in teaching and passion to share

Are, for me, scarcely found elsewhere

What other wonders will I see?

This time next month, where will I be?

The adventures here cannot be bought

Nor the friendships formed, the lessons taught

It’s grateful I am, each day I rise

For I am fortunate, this I realize

To love the now and the to-come

This I say without a qualm

I’ve fallen in love without a net

No looking back and no regrets

For NOLA has been so good to me

Where it leads is where I want to be

September community service hours: 5.5

The Wake of Time

This past week there was an important test

Between classes and studying there was no time to rest

More terms to memorize, more notes to review

Wondering if I bit off more than I could chew

Silently I repeatedly declared

After the test I will go out for fresh air

I’ll walk down each street with no goal in mind

No longer the prisoner to my room confined

I’ll window shop to my heart’s desire

Feeling my spirits soar higher and higher

And when I return as a woman freed

I’ll read that book I’ve been wanting to read

And make the dish I’ve been wanting to make

And bake the bread I’ve been wanting to bake

But after the exam foremost in my head

Was not the book, dish or even the bread

But an overwhelming need to sleep

To feel the oblivion dragging me deep

To let go of the weights from that week

And succumb with cool sheets against my cheek

When I awoke the skies were violet hued

The day was gone I glumly conclude

During my slumber I’d been left in Time’s wake

Wondering if I’d made another mistake

Now as I study I’ve come to realize

One can lose much with eyes on the prize

And enjoyment shouldn’t come after the test

To this I can wholeheartedly attest

Even while under the grasps of stress

And the crushing domination of duress

There’s a reason to laugh, a reason to smile

To cherish living all the while

So read your book and eat that cake

Take the dance class you’ve always wanted to take

Sing from your soul until the windows shake

Race with yourself on feet without brakes

And when opportunities come, grab and take

Lest Time leaves you in its wake