Medical School in Mid-Life

I recently received an invitation to attend the 30th reunion of my graduation from medical school. If I had done it in the usual time frame, it would be closer to a 45 year celebration.

True to form, I chose the hard way: in my 30s and with a half-grown family. It proved to be a very intense four years.



Medical School in Mid-Life


Master the facts crowding your head.
Fold the laundry, humor your spouse,
But never leave a page of text unread.

Groceries to buy, exams to dread,
And a waste of breath to grouse.
Simply master the facts storming your head.

Vacuum the floors, make the bed,
Find time for a movie, dropkick the doubts,
And nevermore leave biochem unread

But no casual scanning. Instead
When handed a memory aid - pounce!
Master the facts leaking from your head.

Chauffeur the kids, keep everyone fed,
And do not forget to iron your blouse
Nor leave a single assignment unread.

Family time dwindling, wrested
By med school, that blasted powerhouse.
Just master the facts crammed in your head,
And don't leave "Saving a Marriage" unread.



Marilyn Aschoff Mellor