Two of NYSIM’s team members, Porsche Scott and Virginia Drda, have recently published poetry in Agora Magazine, the NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s an- nual arts and literature magazine. Agora’s editorial team selects works for publica- tion based on alignment with a given theme. In 2022-2023 the theme was Transi- tion, and with the artists’ permission NYSIM is also sharing their work here! Please enjoy, and join us in congratulating both Porsche and Ginny!

For more, please visit Agora’s website here:
https://www.agoramagazine.org/

The Hamster Escapes the Wheel
In my search of greatness, I revert to the wheel of safety Subconsciously repeating the cycle that leads to complacency Enhancing my stamina and endurance by practicing daily To develop the skills to move forward, yet I remain stationed Outside of the hamster cage foreshadows all of which I long to be But how can I leave, when this is all that's familiar to me?

With one leap.

I jump off of the wheel of comfortable confinement Completing the first phase in my quest of aspirational alignment No longer needing to validate what's already mine With each revelation, I inch closer to the finish line The hamster wheel granted me strength, but also kept me still Now I have earned the freedom to explore what my heart needs fulfilled Using my fears as stepping stones of faith From a pessimistic state of mind of limited space.

I have graciously escaped.

© Porsche E. Scott/2022

Transient
Sunlight inhale day’s heart beating nature’s time clock pulsing fleeting sunset sigh splashed through the sky exhaled twilight waves goodbye

spring wind whispers breath in bubbles bursting blossoms day’s length doubles firefly blink firework gasp sands slip through midsummer’s grasp

coy striptease of autumn trees skeletons bare in cinnamon breeze icy frostlace frozen fingers winter’s breathcloud lightly lingers floating snowflakes heaven sent we too are transient

© Virginia Drda/2022