Poetry from the 2023 Joy of Medicine Summit
IllnessesFragmentsImbalancesBlocked soul-stices
The doctor is a giant stethoscope to the human soulSilently examiningRealigning energies or chakras planetsWith fluids, pills, surgeries, words
The doctor holdsBirth and deathLike two parentheses Containing human condition:
SufferingBut also, miraclesSuch as joy, gratitude, serviceCompassion, hope…
Breathe in, then push!As life comes out of one's bellyBreathe out, and let go…Warmth leaves the body
Medicine honors Both day and nightNight and dayLoss and resilience
Heartbeats of the wind Breathe in, breathe out, self-anchoringThe inbreath of the summer morningThe outbreath of the winter evening
But before darkness, a fallFatal or not, it forces a pauseAfter climbing a hill, before hiking downBetween intention and leap
So, standing at the peak, time to harvestAll of life’s teachings year-to-dateAnd bring to light deep wisdomFrom tangible world lessons
Medicine also teachesAs a steppingstoneTowards evolution of consciousnessAnd integration of polarities
Or equilibrium between yin and yangDecline and growthYouth and agingThe divine feminine and the sacred masculine
Doctoring makes the human soulAn equinox of all moments
— Caroline Giroux, MD
Atlas bends under the weightin basketchart closurepanel growthaccesssupply demand mismatchproductivityleadership challengescross coveringcall.
A bead of sweat navigates the brow ridgea knee bends closer to the grounda shoulder gives to the gravitational weight held above.
Untila perspective shiftsa breath is foundan eye sparkle returns.
This patient needs careaccurate diagnoses are foundeffective treatments are offeredteamwork is builtaddictions are lessenedcancer is found earlyprocedures help curemortality is accepted when all other goodness has been applied.
Within this experiencethe weight is still presentand yet shiftedfrom a globe pushing downto a backpack carried.
Creases reach outwardfrom the corners of the mouthand the edges of the eyesemerging in awareness and strengthAtlas smiles.
— Andrew Hudnut, MD