The Journey

“Oh this weekend I’ll be driving home!”

is a luxury although many may not know

For a journey home for me

involves hours on a flight & an airplane TV

Thank goodness I got TSA-pre

not removing laptops, shoes, and jackets lets me breathe

But money I must spend

either with a layover in Chicago or Denver it will depend

Though I must be grateful because my family comes to stay with me all the time

snuggled up on the couch watching a movie & I know all will be fine

Have lived in CA, TX, OR, OH, and I have grown to love the Midwest

and I know I will whole-heartedly serve my patients no matter where I live next

Never doubted this journey is worth it for my M.D. degree

for a life of healing & keeping our people disease-free

Swati Pandruvada is a third-year medical student at the UTCOMLS.

The Spine