I learned a new term todayin medical school.
Foreign body:a bit of something stuckin soft tissuesor native bone.
It doesn’t belong.Like a splinterfrom the park playgroundLike a bulletfrom a drive-by shooting
Like a shard of glassfrom KristallnachtLike the nailsdriven into Jesus’ hands
When I walk the hallwaysI stick outamong the homogeneous masses
What doesn’t belong?My skinMy hairMy genderMy clothingMy accentMy faithMy social status
Obvious on the outsideor subtle and discoveredafter rigorous testing?
Email Marcia Ehinger, MD
