In or Out

Author(s):

Frank A. Clark, MD

Key Takeaways

The poem uses the metaphor of planting flowers to symbolize unity, shared benevolence, and collective hope in America.
It highlights the need to address societal divisions and the harmful effects of "othering" that deplete humanity's nurturing qualities.
Imagery of a fuming wildfire represents the destructive nature of societal divisions, urging a collective effort to find solutions.
The poem calls for renewed repentance and a commitment to nurturing inclusivity and understanding.

POETRY FOR INCLUSION

©Sara Coffey, DO

Dear America,

I want us to plant flowers—
the ones that dance in the
rich soil of shared benevolence
and collective hope
blooming from sunrise to sunset
praying in the gardens of
renewed repentance
searching for the
antidote to
dissolve the pests
of division and the
excessive heat of
othering
that continues to
scorch Mother Earth
like a fuming wildfire
depleting humanity
of nurturing nutrients

Dr Clark is an outpatient psychiatrist at Prisma Health-Upstate and clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville. He served on the American Psychiatric Association’s Task Force to Address Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry, and he currently serves as the Diversity and Inclusion section editor and advisory board member for Psychiatric Times^TM.