SPOTLIGHT -
August 30th 2025
Through poetry, explore the inspiring journey of Dr Benjamin Griffeth, a retired Navy veteran, as his colleague Dr Frank Clark reflects on his impactful legacy.
August 27th 2025
August 14th 2025
"Tonight their eyes meet with the spirit of sacred music..."
July 16th 2025
"He slaps a chest film on the light box and hooks a bleary intern: Tell me, doctor, what is the shape of this child’s ears?"
July 7th 2025
This heartfelt tribute poem to Dr Jessica Obeysekare celebrates her passion, empathy, and dedication in both life and academia.
"Anatomy Lab"
"By year’s end, brittle with guilt, we hovered over our hollow creation..."
Shelter in Place
“Bringing us home, To ourselves, Our selves, Our bodies, our shelters…”
A Blues for Tyre
A psychiatric reflects on the latest news and remembers Tyre Nichols.
I Wish I Held My Father’s Hand
"I wish I could have caught his eye, delivered the silent message that I understood what he had to go through every day to keep the peace..."
Grief
“We are oceans, not boats.”
Ideas of Heaven
"My mother’s idea of heaven was a pulse, nurses in white spilling light across fields with hurricane lamps, bandage rolls, syringes, pain killers, stethoscopes, pressure cuffs, patella hammers."
Winter Evening Walking Meditation
“Breathing clouds at every turn, We hold what wisdom we must learn.”
25 Years of Poetry of the Times
Celebrating 25 years of Poetry of the Times with Richard Berlin, MD!
If You Ask Me My Name
"And if you like it simple, doctor will do."
Paper-White Narcissus
"There is no greater loneliness..."
“If You Ask Me My Name”
Welcome to 2023, the 25th year of Poetry of the Times with Richard Berlin, MD!
Running
A psychiatrist shares his experience of how running has been a constant for him throughout life’s changes.
Purposeful Light
“…The light of a new year.”
An American Sunrise
"We were running out of breath, as we ran out to meet ourselves..."
Positive Outcome
Even when facing the most difficult opponents, it's possible to win a positive outcome.
Coalescence
A psychiatrist reflects on his story...
The Tailors of Children’s Memorial
"It is Christmas eve and our patient lies on the table in twilight sleep..."
Jew-ish
A fourth-year medical student reflects on the non-traditional traditions that came from growing up in a 2-physician, 2-religion household.
Celebration: Birth of a Colt
"We wait, our bare feet dangling in the horse trough..."
Messenger
"My work is loving the world..."
Holiday Memoir
A psychiatrist shares memories of bonding over dance during the holiday season.
On Transience
"Behind his couch, Freud senses summer’s return, draws a puff, flicks the ash, smiles as he studies his undying ember."
The Great Fires
"Love is apart from all things. Desire and excitement are nothing beside it."
"On Transience"
"For no particular reason I lift my dusty volume of Freud’s Standard Edition from a shelf..."
When It All Explodes: A Love Letter to Pottery
“Pottery is life. The finished product is just a reminder of the steps taken on the way.”
I Am Bound for de Kingdom
"Look out for me I’m a-coming too..."
Abundance
Chemistry Lesson
"...her steady green eyes and naked display of farmgirl skill the chemistry that bonded us for life."
Posttraumatic Growth
Poetic musings on posttraumatic growth...
Healing
Reflecting on the process of healing...