The wind cuts deep, and my blood pulses in defense.
My arms shake, and the pole rattles with annoyance.
The rope is tight; time to commence.
First step wishes to be buoyant.
A distant goal, the end of the wire;
One foot in front of the other.

Tests and quizzes cause a sway;
Research and internships loosen the slack;
White coats for the ones that make it all the way.
One look down and my sight turns black.
A distant goal, the end of the wire;
One foot in front of the other.

Decisions masquerading as hope
Reveal themselves through speedy winds.
One misstep and you’ll unrope,
A fatal failure even for the skilled.

The conditions worsen but your mind appears,
Will it shield the weather?
Will your balance adhere?
A distant goal, the end of the wire;
One foot in front of the other.

Patrick is a pre-med molecular cell biology major (currently deciding on a minor) from Foster City, CA. He is also one of Atrium’s editors.