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  1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  2. Medicine and Meaning
  3. Blinded 

Blinded 

Taylor Appleton 

When I was a child, I found a hurt animal, 

and I ran in the light of the sun. 

And was amazed at the smallest of rays that reflected in its eyes as I nurtured it, 

And tried to make it whole 

One day I realized, you could stare into the light until it began to hurt 

And all your shadows would fall behind you. 

There was a time when I could not look at pain without feeling it. 

Yet now I cannot afford to; I am blinded 

I see you but not your suffering anymore 

I treat with minimal care, though it feels here nor there 

And though I am blinded, on my breaks, I go outside and continue to stare at the sun 

They say experience is relative, philosophically, yet 

A child, full of hope, is staring at the same sun alongside me 

So I tear my eyes away, look down, and say 

If only you could be my partner again. 

Bio 

Tayler is a first year medical student and hoping to go into pediatric neurology. She is the author of one novel and has always had an intense passion for combining medicine with the arts. 

Posted by Chadley Uekman on April 9, 2026

Filed Under: 13-poetry

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