By: Nikil Revuri

Land of Light and Dark,
Of white hallways and
Frantic alarms, frenzy
Brought to life amid
Prodding tubes, pricking
Needles, and wailing
Ill, there lies shadow.

In that shadow, we
Stand in that abyss
Between saccharine
Light and bitter Dark,
Holding apart arms,
Interlaced fingers,
Barrier to fall.

When they fall, children
Up high, Dark tendrils
Claim their spark of fire,
As disease takes hold,
Invading body
And soul, we must stand,
Guarding life and Light.

Breathe life with outstretched
Arms while sirens blare,
Says that shadow creed,
Invoking our strength,
Pursuing duty,
Between drapes, amongst
Faltering heartbeats.

Metronome, we seek
That monotone beat,
Steady and assured.
Yet, some slip, cadence
Turns to a flatline
As tendrils drag under
Another being.

Beings of sorrow,
We learn to let go,
Lest our shadow fades
Casting us to Dark,
Dragging us under,
Rending asunder,
Tantamount to death.

From death comes promise,
For some want not pain,
Nor misery, lest
Pricking needles sting
Once more, seeking cure
At cost of pleasure,
Those we relinquish.

Relinquish our hold
On this shadow plane,
Saying our farewells
As dark wisps abduct,
Shunning caring hands,
Dying nobly.