Voices in Humanism

Following Suit

I find it rather ironic
When one bulb burns out
And the rest on the string follow suit
Showing solidarity with their fallen comrade.

#37 went out today
Followed by the next 13
And I couldn’t help but ponder
That their circuitry remains intact
Filaments held tightly
Choosing not to draw current
Because no man left behind.

I know, the ones with parallel circuits don’t do that,
So you think I should buy those,
But I find them less metaphorical.

And it doesn’t sit well with my conscience
Letting #37 go out alone,
While the other 49 illuminate the blank sheet of paper
That’s been staring at me for the past 2 hours.

I’d rather face writer’s block in dim light
Surrounded by the quiet camaraderie of 14 burnt out bulbs.

Kaitlyn N. Tindall
4th Year Biology Major
Pre-Health Professions Specialization
President, Humanism in Medicine Undergraduate Section
The Ohio State University